









l* 












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A 

BRIEF HISTORY 

OF THE 

TOWN OF NORFOLK 

FROM 1738 TO 1844: 



SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND TRANSACTIONS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED 

IN THIS TOWN, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, 

CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 



FAITHFULLY COLLECTED FROM THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF THE TOWN 

AND OTHER CORRECT DOCUMENTS, WITH THE DATES 

ACCURATELY ANNEXED. 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN, INCIDENTS, LIST OF OFFICERS, 
AND OTHER INTERESTING MATTER. 



BY AUREN ROYS, 

' i 

Town and Ecclesiastical Society Clerk. 



" He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their chil- 
dren ; that the generations to come might know them, even the children which 
should be born ; who should arise and declare them to their children ; that they might 
set their hope in God." 



NEW-YORK: 
PRINTED BY HENRY LUDWIG, 

70 VESEY-STREET. 



M DCCC XLYII. 



CONTENTS 



Brief history of Norfolk, ------- \ 

Concluding remarks, -------.45 

Romantic and extensive views, ------ 45 

Summary of events, etc., ------- 47 

Situation — Description — Resources, ----- 50 

Incidents, ----------66 

Representatives to general assembly, ----- 72 

List of graduates, etc., from this town, - - - - - 75 

Ministers employed — Deacons, ------ 76 

Admissions to the church, -------77 

Memoir of Madam Elizabeth Robbins, ----- 78 

Memoir of Joseph Battell, Esq., - - - - - - 79 

List of deaths of male heads of families, ----- 80 

Town officers, ---------83 

Grand list, from 1759 to 1844, - 85 

School monev. ---------89 



HISTORY 



TOfI OF NORFOLK. 



The unconveyed lands in the colony of Connecticut, 
were claimed by a company instituted in the fourteenth 
year of the reign of Charles II., and incorporated by 
the name of the governor and company, and while emi- 
grants were effecting a settlement of several towns in 
the colony already conveyed and incorporated. On the 
11th of October, 1722, there arose an unhappy contro- 
versy between the legislature and the towns of Hartford 
and Windsor, originating from the following circum- 
stances. 

In the troublous times of Sir Edmund Andrus' ad- 
ministration, who attempted to grasp and enrich him- 
self and his minions, by the sale of the lands in the 
colony hitherto unconveyed, the legislature, it seems, 
had, in a hasty manner, conveyed to the towns of Hart- 
ford and Windsor, the section of the colony described 
in the annexed grant, dated January 26th, 1686, in the 
words following. 

" This court grants to the plantations of Hartford and 
Windsor, those lands on the north of Woodbury and 
Mattatuck, and on the west of Farmington and Sims- 
bury, to the Massachusetts line north, to run west to 
Housatonic or Stratford river, provided it be not, or 
part of it, formerly granted to any particular person, to 
make a plantation or village." 

1 



2 HISTORY OF THE 

The design of this conveyance was, that those towns 
should hold the lands thus granted, for the governor 
and company, until those times of danger and trouble 
should be past, but not as their property. They had 
never purchased, nor given the least valuable consider- 
ation for them, and had no valid deeds or patents of 
them ; yet, by virtue of the above grant, they laid claims 
to all the lands within the limits expressed, and in viola- 
tion of the most explicit laws of the colony, they pro- 
ceeded to locate and vend the lands in controversy. 

The governor and company still claimed the lands as 
firmly as if no grant had been made to those towns. 
And some of the principal innovators were arrested and 
punished by the superior court, and some of them were 
committed to the common prison in Hartford. The 
contention finally rose so high, that quite a number of 
persons collected in a riotous manner, and even while 
the assembly were in session, they went forward, broke 
open the jail and set those prisoners at liberty. The 
sheriff of the county of Hartford was ordered to pursue, 
apprehend, and re-commit them, and was authorized, if 
necessary, to call out the militia of the county to assist 
him. 

Notwithstanding these firm and determinate measures, 
several persons were attempting to lay out and dispose 
of, for their own benefit, the lands which lay north, east, 
and west of Litchfield, and west of Farmington and 
Simsbury. Suitable persons were authorized to arrest 
them. The rioters in Hartford we e eventually taken, 
and fined each £20 and £5 costs. But on their preferring 
a petition to the assembly, their fines were abated to 
£20 fine and costs. 

Soon after this, three men from Hartford and two 
from Windsor ventured to lay out the town of Goshen, 
and claimed it for their own ; they were prosecuted and 
fined. In order to quiet the business, the assembly 
appointed a committee whose duty it was to endeavor 
amicably to settle it. They labored assiduously for 
nearly two years, and reported their doings to the 
assembly. Pursuant to their report, the assembly re- 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 3 

solved that the lands in controversy should be divided 
between the colony and the towns of Hartford and 
Windsor : the colony to have the western, and Hartford 
and Windsor the eastern division. The town of Litch- 
field and two other conveyances were not to be included 
in this division. 

The business was thus settled, and the legal proprie- 
tors proceeded to survey and locate townships, and 
give them names, which were subsequently established. 
The four following parcels of land were deeded by 
Hartford to Windsor. 

The first tract surveyed in this division was named 
Torrington, the second was called Berkhempstead, the 
third Colebrook, the fourth Harwington. This was 
done in 1732 ; in 1733, Hartland, Winchester, and New- 
Hartford were incorporated. 

The followino; towns were sold and named at the 
session of the assembly in May, 1737, their agents 
having conducted the business in the several towns 
directed. The one sold at New Haven was called 
Goshen ; the one sold at New London, Canaan ; that at 
Fairfield, Cornwall ; and that at Windsor, Kent. The 
township proposed to be sold in Hartford, April, 1738, 
was called Norfolk, and the one sold in May after, at 
Hartford, was called Salisbury. These towns were all 
annexed to the county of Hartford, and were to be 
settled by the inhabitants of Connecticut ; it took several 
years for the sale and settlement of them. 

Norfolk was the first town appointed to be sold for the 
colony at Hartford, on the second Tuesday in April, 1738. 
It failed, and was again offered for sale at Middletown 
in 1742, but was not entirely sold until about sixteen 
years from that time. There were so many townships 
offered for sale, which were considered far preferable to 
it, both as to soil and situation, that when it was first set 
up at vendue, one bidder only appeared and bid off a 
small part of it. 

In May, 1750, an act was passed by the assembly, 
ordering the remainder to be sold at public vendue at 
Middletown, December next ensuing; and, if not sold 



4 HISTORY OF THE 

then, to continue the vendue until it was sold. This was 
not effected until about four years after. There were 
at this time twelve or fourteen persons on the lands, 
who eventually became proprietors. 

In 1758, when the town was incorporated, there were 
but twenty-seven families residing in it. There were 
fifty proprietors of the disposable rights, and it was a 
condition among the proprietors that each should settle 
one family upon his respective right within five years. 
This so expedited the settlement, that in about three 
years the number of families increased to sixty, and 
soon to seventy. 

Timothy Horsford, of Windsor, took a deed of one 
right, of 400 acres, which he retained and paid for ; being 
the tract since occupied by Titus Ives and Nathaniel 
Pease in the westerly part of the town, on the Canaan 
road. Mr. Horsford sold his right to Titus Brown, and 
soon after, he sold it to his brother Cornelius Brown, 
both from Windsor. Mr. Cornelius Brown built a 
house on the tract and removed his family. His team 
drew the first load which passed through the Green- 
woods, so called. Mr. John Turner and Mr. Jedediah 
Richards soon after came from Hartford and lived near 
Mr. Brown. These were pious families, and were early 
engaged in the establishment and promotion of Christian 
society. 

In consequence of unavoidable embarrassments, 
together with the forbidding aspect of the then wild and 
uncultivated tract, the first purchasers forfeited their 
first payment, forty shillings on the right, and it was re- 
sold. Soon after the second sale, a number of families 
settled in this town. In the north part, Ebenezer, Ezra, 
and Samuel Knapp, and James Benedict, all from Dan- 
bury. Jacob Spalding and Isaac Holt soon came into 
that part of the town. 

In the south part, the first settlers were Joseph and 
Samuel Mills, Asahel Case and Samuel Cowls, all from 
Simsbury ; Samuel Manross came from Farmington, and 
built a log-house near where the meeting-house now 
stands. Joshua Whitney removed from Canaan and 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. O 

erected a frame-house near, and Cornelius Brown a 
saw-mill on the present site of the centre grist-mill. 

The second sale of the town was effected by the 
agency of Mr. John Turner, who was appointed by the 
town to make application to the assembly for its sale. 
He at the same time procured its incorporation ; also a 
land-tax to continue two years, to assist in defraying the 
ecclesiastical expenses. 

Stationed as were the first settlers in this then dreary 
wilderness, the land, since improved for meadow and 
pasture, being then mostly covered with a thick-set 
forest, the severe winters of this climate adding much to 
the dreariness of the scene, the inhabitants near the 
centre of the town were greatly favoured by a kind 
Providence, " who careth for oxen," in having discovered 
that the low meadows west of the meeting-house were 
then mostly open, and for two or three years supplied 
the few cattle then in their possession with coarse 
hay. 

It is believed from the appearance then, and present 
examination, that those now valuable and productive 
meadows were, in ages long past, the bed of a lake of 
considerable extent, and that the outlet was down the 
falls by the centre grist-mill. The natural dyke ap- 
pears to have extended across from the ledge bordering 
the north-easterly side of the present meadows, to the 
turn of the road west of the centre mill. From some 
unknown cause — probably by the same convulsion of 
nature which so terribly shattered the rocks composing 
the ledge — the barrier gave way, and poured the con- 
tents of the lake and its yielding dyke with thundering 
and appalling velocity — appalling if there were the eyes 
of man to see, or ears to hear — down the falls by the 
mill, leaving only a small stream meandering through 
the meadows. 

As the potent enemy of life soon began its ravages, 
the inhabitants were obliged to seek a place where to 
bury their dead. The first burials were in Canaan, 
where the first settlers attended public worship on the 
Sabbath. The first person buried in this town was the 



6 HISTORY OF THE 

wife of Jedcdiah Turner; her grave with two others 
were on the ground where Col. J. W. Phelps built his 
house ; in digging his cellar the bones were found almost 
entire ; they were enclosed in a case and deposited not 
far distant in a decent and proper manner. The next 
persons who died were placed in the present centre 
burying-ground. 

The fear of invasion of a foreign foe, and the still 
more dreaded assaults of the aborigines of this country, 
whose aggressions and cruelty they had already experi- 
enced, induced them to learn the art of war. The first 
militia company embodied in this town was commanded 
by Lieutenant Whitney, who was afterwards appointed 
captain when the company became full. 

Notwithstanding the embarrassments common to infant 
settlements, many indeed, and peculiar ones fell to their 
lot ; for in addition to the troubles attending the unsettled 
state of the colony, civil, political, and ecclesiastical, 
which they suffered in common with their brethren of 
this new country, they had also to encounter severe 
hardships in trying to subdue a stubborn soil, and erect 
habitations for their families from the crude, and at that 
time the expensive materials obtainable from abroad, 
which, in their circumstances as early settlers, must some 
of them be dispensed with ; yet having imbibed the spirit 
of the New England fathers, they determined, as soon 
as practicable, to provide for the stated enjoyment of 
gospel ordinances. They therefore unanimously agreed 
to exert themselves for that purpose. 

December 20th, 1758, an itinerant clergyman by the 
name of Treat was procured, and preached the first ser- 
mon ever delivered in this town. They had occasional 
preaching until January 8th, 1759 ; they then hired Mr. 
Peck to preach for a considerable time, and also agreed 
to commence building a meeting-house for the worship 
of the God of their fathers and their God. These exer- 
tions they soon perceived were likely so to involve them, 
that in May following, they applied to the general 
assembly for the land-tax before mentioned. It is not 
stated whether they obtained this or not, but in October 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



of the same year they again applied to the assembly 
for a land-tax of two pence on the acre, to continue 
four years ; this, it appears, they obtained. 

The inhabitants who were legal voters, assembled 
December the 12th, 1758, and organized their first town- 
meeting ; it consisted of 44 members— their names were 
the following : 



George Palmer, Moderator. 
William Barber. 
Jedediah Richards. 
John Turner. 
Ebenezer Knapp. 
Cornelius Brown. 
Aaron Aspenwall. 
Samuel Gaylord. 
Ezra Knapp. 
Isaac Pettibone. 
Edward Strickland. 
Samuel Cowls. 
Ebenezer Burr. 
Elijah Barber. 
Ebenezer Pardia. 
Cornelius Dowd. 
Joseph Mills. 
Gideon Lawrence. 
Asahel Case. 
Justis Gaylord. 
Bufus Lawrence. 
Eli Pettibone. 



Samuel Mills. 
Thomas Knapp. 
Ebenezer Knapp, Jr. 
James Hotehkiss. 
Samuel Ransom. 
Abraham Knapp. 
James Benedict. 
Stephen Baker. 
Joshua Whitney. 
Jacob Spalding. 
Stephen Comstock. 
Jedediah Turner. 
Samuel Strickland. 
Jabez Rood. 
Samuel Monross. 
Luther Barber. 
Timothy Gaylord. 
Elisha Richards. 
Giles Pettibone. 
Jonathan Stricland. 
Amariah Plumb. 
David Turner. 



Thirty heads of families only, now (1828) reside in 
this town who are descendants from the above-named 
persons. 

For fifty-six years, the civil and ecclesiastical concerns 
of the town were conducted by one corporate body. Im- 
posing and collecting taxes, appropriating money and 
other property collected to meet the exigencies of the 
day, and prudently parcelling it out— in small sums, of 
course— in some measure to satisfy the pressing and 
numerous claims then demanding their attention. For 
the above reason the subsequent history will be carried 
on in a connected form, and so as not needlessly to break 
the chronological chain. 



8 HISTORY OF THE 

1759. — November 26th, the people invited the Rev. 
Mr. Noah Wetmore to preach on probation. While he 
was employed, they proceeded so far in building the 
meeting-house as to raise and cover it. This must have 
been performed, or a considerable part of it, in an incle- 
ment season, and previous to June 24th, 1760. 

1760. — March 31st, the inhabitants united in giving 
Mr. Wetmore a call to settle and reside with them as 
their minister. A committee was appointed to treat 
with him on the subject, and also to advise with a council 
of clergymen, who were about to convene, respecting 
their contemplated union ; and in case he was re- 
jected, or did not accept their proposal, they were 
authorized, if practicable, to obtain the Rev. Noah Bene- 
dict to supply his place. For some reason, not now 
known, Mr. Wetmore was rejected by vote in a regular 
meeting ; Mr. Benedict was not obtained. In their 
destitute condition, the Rev. Daniel Farrand, of South 
Canaan, was very kind and attentive to them, preaching 
occasionally, assisting at funerals, and on other occa- 
sions ; he also assisted in first gathering and organizing 
the church, which then consisted of 23 members only. 

They did not rest here, but in a meeting assembled 
June 24th, 1760, they agreed to invite the Rev. Jesse Ives 
(brother to Titus Ives,) to preach on probation; he 
was obtained, and December 24th following, they gave 
him a call to settle over them as their gospel minister. 
They proceeded so far towards settling Mr. Ives, as 
to offer him the minister lot, and to give him a salary 
of £62 10s. annually, for 3 years, and after that time, to 
give him a salary of £70 per annum statedly. The time 
was set for his ordination — the third Wednesday of Octo- 
ber, 1760 — a committee was chosen to provide for the 
ordaining council, in the proper time. Another com- 
mittee was appointed to accompany Mr. Ives to the 
association, soon to meet, and to attend his examination. 
His ordination, for reasons not now known, was postpon- 
ed. In February, 1761, another committee was appoint- 
ed to attend the examination of Mr. Ives a second time ; 
but soon after an altercation took place between him 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 9 

and one of his expected parishioners, and he was left to 
exhibit a specimen of his very hasty temper, and im- 
prudently and wickedly used such language as very 
much disgusted the man, and those to whom he related 
the matter. The business respecting his settlement pro- 
ceeded no farther. 

The call of Mr. Ives was unanimous, but the second 
attempt to decide the matter was not so propitious ; one 
vote only constituted the majority in his favor. It 
seems the town had too hastily given him a deed or 
lease of the use of the parsonage land, for he was after- 
wards required to quit his claim. His other claims 
against the town were not promptly liquidated, and a 
law-suit was the result, which, after considerable delay, 
brought the business to a close. 

Our fathers were not discouraged by this failure, but 
with renewed zeal pursued their favorite object. In 
June, 1761, they invited Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, a 
young candidate for the ministry — son of the Rev. Phi- 
lemon Robbins, of Branford, in this State — " to preach 
to us on probation." After taking suitable time to 
acquaint themselves with his qualifications, and to de- 
liberate on the subject, they, on the 1 6th of September, 
1761, gave him a unanimous call to take the charge of 
them as their minister; the committee informed him 
of the result of their deliberations, and proposed to him 
the following stipend and terms : viz., to give him the lot 
reserved for the first settled minister, and an annual 
salary of £62 10s. for two years, and after that time 
agreed to give him a stated salary of £70, payable an- 
nually, and in produce at the market price, and fixed 
by a committee to be appointed annually for said pur- 
pose ; (this mode of payment was continued for 45 
years, when a contract was made). After due consi- 
deration Mr. Robbins accepted the terms proposed, and 
waited their time to receive him as their minister. 

Michael Humphrey, Esq., and Ezra Knapp, were 
appointed to accompany Mr. Robbins to the association 
and attend his examination. He was approved of by 
the association, and the 28th of October, 1761, fixed 



10 HISTORY OF THE 

upon for his ordination. The time arrived, and pre- 
parations were made for the occasion. At the age of 
21, Mr. Robbins presented himself before the ordaining 
council, and submitted to their examination, which re- 
sulted in his ordination. The council was composed of 
the following clergymen, who performed the services 
assigned them in the solemn transaction. 

Rev. Mr. Lee, of Salisbury, offered the introductory 
prayer ; Rev. Mr. Robbins, his father, preached the ser- 
mon, text 2d of Corinthians, 5th chapter, 20th verse. 

Rev. Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlehem, offered the conse- 
crating prayer, and gave the charge. 

Rev. Mr. Champion, of Litchfield, gave the right hand 
of fellowship ; Rev. Mr. Robberts, of Torrington, offered 
the concluding prayer. 

The number of families in town at this time was 60, 
and soon increased to 70. The church consisted of 38 
members. In May 13th, 1762, Mr. Robbins married 
Miss Elizabeth Le Baron, daughter of Dr. Le Baron of 
Plymouth, Mass., and removed her through the then rough 
and devious way to his new habitation, there to suffer 
many privations, aid him in his arduous and responsible 
station, share with him in trials, in joys and sorrows, and, 
finally, to close his eyes on scenes long dear to them, 
and for several years after to live in lonely widow- 
hood. 

Our progenitors, deeply impressed with a sense of 
the importance of religious institutions, were, from the 
commencement of their residence in this place, united 
in their exertions to establish them on a permanent 
foundation ; and, after several fruitless attempts to settle 
a gospel minister, Providence sent them a man to break 
to them the bread of life, who was cordially received, 
and in union with the people of his charge, enjoyed the 
smiles of the Great Head of the church, and served 
them faithfully for 52 years ; he finished his course, 
and rested from his labors. His memory will be ever 
dear to the church and inhabitants of this town. 

When considering the multiplicity and variety of their 
engagements, their pecuniary embarrassments, many and 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 11 

of a magnitude one would think sufficient to dampen 
the ardor of most communities in their infant state and 
peculiar location, political troubles thickening around 
them, and threatening to overwhelm and blast their dear 
and cherished hopes — we cannot but admire how stea- 
dily they persevered in pursuit of the superior object of 
their wishes. One thing which very much engrossed 
their attention was the building a house, wherein pub- 
lickly to worship God and permanently establish reli- 
gious order. By the strictest economy, management, 
and patient labor, in the course of about 12 years, they 
so far accomplished their wishes, as to be in a good de- 
gree accommodated with a house dedicated to the wor- 
ship of God and the establishment of divine ordinances. 
Many other improvements were made at that time, 
which will be noticed in the proper place. 

Their progress in building the meeting-house may be 
seen by the following statement : in 1759, they com- 
menced building the meeting-house, and in the course of 
the year raised and covered it. In 1761, underpinned 
and floored the lower part of it. In 17G7, laid the gal- 
lery floor. In 1769, finished the lower part and made 
the pulpit. January 2, 1770, dignified and seated it. 
In 1771, finished the galleries and procured a cushion 
for the pulpit desk. 

The house, respectable in its appearance for those 
early times, was in dimensions 40 by 50, of suitable 
height for galleries, built in a plain style, without any ex- 
ternal decoration, except the then fashionable triangular 
cornices or laps over the doors and windows. The in- 
side finish was equally plain and remained unpainted. 
The outside was painted about this time, with what was 
called a peach-blow color, which must have appeared a 
glaring contrast to the sombre hue of the thick and lofty 
trees which then surrounded it ; so dense, that in coming 
from the south it was not seen until entering the lower 
part of the triangular green, now in use, and cleared of 
the incumbrance of lofty hemlocks and wide-spreading 
maples, etc. ; and the surface thus cleared exposed a 
still more stubborn article, to be removed in due time — 



12 HISTORY OF THE 

rocks, deeply imbedded, had lain undisturbed since 
creation, until they felt the force of powder, which they 
could not. resist ; yet, some remain as a specimen of the 
once rough appearance of the surface. In 1793, the 
house was painted white, and retained a slight appear- 
ance of it when taken down in 1814, having stood about 
55 years. 

The congregation was, for some time after the house 
was finished, or in a condition to occupy, summoned 
to assemble on the Sabbath, and on other occasions, by 
blowing a horn, or some other signal understood and 
authorized by vote of the town. Suitable persons were 
appointed and required to see that every one, who had 
not a satisfactory excuse, should regularly attend public 
divine worship in the sanctuary, and, also, that every 
family be furnished with a Bible. 

We again find it interesting to trace their slow but 
sure progress in improvement in the incipient stage of 
the settlement. While they were engaged in the im- 
portant pursuit just mentioned, sufficient, it would seem, 
from the zeal exhibited, almost entirely to engross their 
attention and occupy their time, yet they were not un- 
mindful of the necessity of educating their children, and 
preparing them for future usefulness. Schools were 
early established, and encouraged by every means then 
in their power. Limited, indeed, were the means, their 
funds were low, and their books few. The following 
books composed the library of the pupil : the Bible, the 
New England Primer, containing the assembly of 
divines' Shorter Catechism, Dilworth's Spelling Book, 
containing a few pages of grammar, his Schoolmaster's 
Assistant, containing the ground rules of arithmetic, and 
some rules quite too abstruse for the juvenile scholar. 
The writing scholar took his first lesson on the bark of 
the white birch, or was restricted to the use of a few 
sheets of paper, whereon to learn that useful art. His 
indulgent and kind mother made his ink from the bark 
of the soft maple, or the berries of the sumach. His in- 
genious father made him an ink-horn — properly so-call- 
ed — of the tip of a cow's horn, and set it in a round 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 13 

wooden bottom ; thus accoutred he hied away with 
cheerful steps to his school-house, in some instances 
far distant, there to spend the day in the sultry and con- 
fined summer heat, or the piercing cold of winter. The 
teachers were instructed from the same source and in 
the same way, taken for a few weeks from their domes- 
tic employments to " teach the young idea how to shoot, 
and pour instruction into the mind." 

In 1768, the town passed a vote to this effect : that, 
if ten or even three families, would unite and set up an 
approved school, the expense might be paid from the 
treasury of the town. The adult population did not 
neglect, generally, the improvement of their own minds. 
They were reading with avidity a library of books, few 
indeed in number, collected about the time of Mr. 
Robbins' settlement, consisting of about 150 volumes, 
selected from the comparatively few books obtainable at 
that time. It was preserved for 30 or 35 years and then 
sold and distributed among the proprietors. In this 
manner were the evenings of many families pleasantly 
spent. Thus a reader occupied one corner of the fire- 
side, surrounded by an interesting, and in some instances 
an attentive group of children, while the busy hum of 
the spinning-wheel was heard in the other. Their days 
were industriously spent, when the weather and other 
circumstances would admit, in felling and clearing oft" 
the huge forest trees, the logs were tumbled into massy 
piles, which, when set on fire, lighted the horizon and 
over-shadowing clouds in the twilight, and afforded rare 
sport for the children, whose business it was to add fuel 
to the fire by throwing on the brush-wood. 

In addition to all this labor and expense, passable 
roads were made, and the rugged surface cleared and 
smoothed sufficiently for opening a passage through the 
town in different directions. In 1761, the country-road, 
as it was then termed, was made, leading from the beech 
flats, and running a north-westerly course, down on the 
north side of the centre burying-ground, through the dug- 
way or valley into Canaan. The manner then pursued 
and approved of for making roads, was, to dig a pass or 



14 HISTORY ON THE 

trench through knolls, and on the declivities of hills, 
sufficiently wide for carts to pass forward, but in general, 
not to pass each other but with difficulty. The wet and 
marshy places which crossed their route, were filled with 
round timber laid across the road, in some places they 
were left naked, in others the interstices were filled with 
earth, which formed a level for a time above the water 
and mud. When coming to a rock of considerable size, 
they very prudently sheered off, and took a circular turn, 
avoiding it as an unconquerable obstruction. The 
course of the highways, generally, was over high ground, 
in order to escape the swamps and dense forests, which 
in many places lay directly in their way. After, when 
the surface was cleared and dry, many alterations wee 
made in their direction, which better accommodated the 
inhabitants in every part of the town. 

The troublous times, which had for several years 
been anticipated, now arrived. Their recital, as to de- 
tail, is here omitted, and the reader referred to the official 
documents published at large on the subject. It will be 
sufficient in this place to say, our fathers now began very 
sensibly to feel, in common with their fellow-citizens 
throughout the country, the effects of British aggression, 
innovation, and unwarranted demands. Those impolitic 
measures, on the side of the British, were the cause of 
their almost unanimously and firmly imbibing that spirit 
of independence and freedom which actuated them in 
their subsequent and arduous struggles for the defence 
of their inalienable rights. The inhabitants of this town 
determined, in cooperation with their fellow-citizens, to 
withstand the torrent of abuse unmercifully poured upon 
them, and to emancipate themselves from the now rude 
grasp of their mother-country, if blood as well as treasure 
must be the sacrifice ! 

From the few public newspapers, then in circulation, 
the news of the day was obtained, and the public proceed- 
ings were made familiar to them ; and they told them to 
their children. In 1774, having learned that the harbor 
of Boston was blockaded by the British, in the true 
spirit of Christian benevolence and of patriotism, they 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 15 

resolved, in legal meeting, to send relief to the inhabi- 
tants who were in distressing circumstances. It was 
timely ; and though like the widow's mite when com- 
pared with their necessities, it was undoubtedly an ac- 
ceptable offering. At the same meeting they levied a 
tax of one half-penny on the pound, for the purpose of 
procuring powder and other ammunition for the use of 
the town, that they might be ready for any emergency 
calling for its use. For the same season, they establish- 
ed a pest-house for the smallpox, a disease then dreaded 
— especially if taken the natural way — almost as much 
as the hydrophobia is now ! 

In 1774, the 30th of June, they received the resolves 
of the representatives convened at Hartford, and imme- 
diately called a special meeting of the people, who voted 
to approve, adopt and copy them. The import of the 
resolves was very similar to those passed in Philadelphia, 
which are copied below. The Hartford resolves close 
with the following spirited determination : 

" It is an indispensable duty, which we owe to our 
king, our colony, ourselves and our posterity, by all 
lawful measures and means in our power, to maintain, 
defend, and preserve inviolate, those our rights and 
liberties, and to transmit them entire and inviolate to 
the latest generation ; and that it is our fixed determina- 
tion and unalterable resolution faithfully to discharge 
this our duty." 

The resolves above referred to, ten in number, are, 
for substance, as follows : " We are entitled to life, 
liberty and property, and no foreign power has a right to 
dispose of either, without our consent. We are entitled 
to all the rights, liberties and immunities of free and 
natural-born subjects. By our emigration, we have not 
forfeited, surrendered or lost, any of those rights, nor our 
allegiance to our rightful sovereign. 

" As we are not represented in the British parliament, 
we are entitled to a free and exclusive power of legisla- 
tion in our several provincial legislatures ; subject only 
to the negative of our sovereign. The respective 
colonies are entitled to the common law of England, and 



16 HISTORY OF THE 

the inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of 
the vicinage, according to the course of that law. That 
we are entitled to the benefit of such of the English 
statutes as existed at the time of our colonization. That 
we are entitled to all the immunities and privileges con- 
firmed to us by royal charters, or the several codes of 
provincial laws. We have a right, peaceably to as- 
semble, consider of our grievances, and petition the king 
for redress. 

" Keeping a standing army in any of our colonies, 
without our consent, is illegal. It is rendered essential 
by the English constitution, that the constituent branches 
of the legislature be independent of each other." 

December 26, 1774. Our people received the four- 
teen articles of agreement, drawn up and signed by all 
the representatives present, in their own names, and in 
behalf of their constituents, to continue until their griev- 
ances were redressed. A special meeting was called, 
and a unanimous vote given to approve of, and abide by, 
these resolves. They proceeded to appoint a committee 
of nine, whose duty it should be to enforce the obser- 
vance of them ; and a committee of three, to correspond 
with the other colonies on the subject. Appointed for 
said committee, Giles Pettibone, Esq., Dudley Hum- 
phrey, Esq., and Titus Ives. 

The resolves or articles of agreement, referred to 
above, were passed in Philadelphia in September pre- 
ceding, by the continental congress, then convened. 
The articles follow, — " Agreed, not to import any arti- 
cles from Great Britan or any of its colonies, or of any 
concerned in trade with them. Not to export any 
article to those places either directly or indirectly. Not 
to use or consume any article procured from those 
places. Not to purchase any slave imported, but wholly 
discontinue the slave-trade, and not assist in any way to 
carry it on. Not to purchase any tea, on which a duty 
has been or shall be paid. We will use our utmost en- 
deavors to improve the breed of sheep, and increase 
the number of them. 

" We will encourage frugality, economy, and industry, 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 17 

and promote agriculture, arts, and manufactures, especial- 
ly of wool. We will discourage every species of extrava- 
gance, and if we lose a friend or relative, we will use no 
more expensive mourning dress than a piece of crape, or 
ribbon on the arm or hat, and our ladies, a black ribbon 
or neck-lace. 

" That the manufactures of this country shall be sold 
at reasonable prices. That we will have no intercourse 
with any colony which shall not accede to, or which shall 
violate this association. That a committee shall be ap- 
pointed in every town, whose duty it shall be to enforce 
the observance of these resolves and agreements. The 
committee appointed for the above purpose in this town, 
were faithful in the discharge of their duty. The com- 
mittee were — Giles Pettibone, Dudley Humphrey, Titus 
Watson, Samuel Mills and Andrew Moore." 

1776. — The irresistible lapse of time brought about 
the important and interesting era and stage of revolu- 
tionary achievement, when our fathers must give up the 
arduous struggle for the defence of their rights, relin- 
quish every claim to redress of grievances, obsequiously 
bow under the yoke of oppression, and submit to the rule 
of the rod of tyranny, or rise with united energy in the 
spirit of freemen, panting for liberty and independence, 
and steadily move forward to meet and contend with the 
powerful phalanx of opposing difficulties and dangers. 

Urged by the call of duty, they declared themselves 
free from, and independent of their now oppressive an- 
cestors ; and pledged their honor, their life, and their 
treasures, if called for, in bringing the contest to a 
favorable issue, and obtaining a peace and settlement 
with their belligerent foe, in some measure adequate 
to their just requirements, and honorable to those who 
had already, and those who must suffer and bleed in 
the glorious cause, and those who may survive, and en- 
joy the fruits of their exertions. 

'The people of this town were ever ready, it would 
seem, to cooperate in every measure adopted, and ap- 
proved of by our government, in that eventful day r 
vet not without, suitable examination and free dis- 

2 



18 HISTORY OF THE 

cussion. They now, pursuant to resolutions previously 
made, rose almost en masse and prepared to meet the 
call on them for their quota of men and necessary sup- 
plies, to aid in prosecuting the defensive war in which 
their brethren of the different colonies were now deeply 
and ardently engaged, — a war, it was believed, sanc- 
tioned and approved of by that Being who sways the 
sceptre of the universe, and to whom the united prayers 
of the pious of this oppressed country were addressed 
for guidance and success. Their exertions appear to 
have been unremitted until the banner of peace was un- 
furled to their view. Several of their active and influen- 
tial men fell in the contest, and their bereaved families 
still flourish among us ; others returned to the bosom of 
their families and friends, and lived to enjoy with them 
the sweets of liberty and independence. 

In 1777, the people of this town were afflicted with both 
war and pestilence ; the camp distemper, or dysentery, 
as it is now called, swept off fifty-six persons of different 
ages ; and the year following, thirty-eight died of the 
same disorder ; and several, who went from this town to 
serve their country, died in the army or on their return 
home. In this distressing time, our fathers were en- 
gaged in acts of kindness and benevolence, in endeavor- 
ing to supply the wants of the inhabitants ; pressing, in- 
deed, were the wants of the lonely woman and her chil- 
dren, and especially the bereaved families. A com- 
mittee was appointed to provide for the families of the 
three-years' men — so-called, — and to procure salt for the 
use of the inhabitants generally, (an article at that time 
poor and scarce), they were directed to distribute it in 
equal proportion to each individual in town. Thus, al- 
though sequestered from the noise and bloody scenes of 
war, our ancestors were severely tried with privation 
and sickness, continual anxiety and care. The above 
committee were — Samuel Cowls, Jr., Elijah Grant, Isaac 
Holt, Jr., Titus Ives, Timothy Gaylord. 

In 1777, this town was first represented in the general 
assembly of this state. Messrs. Giles Pettibone and 
Wm. Walter were appointed representatives. About 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 19 

this time a specimen of an army, subjugated and despoil- 
ed of its weapons of war, was exhibited. A part of 
Burgoyne's forces passed through this town as prisoners 
of war ; encamping, for several days, on the centre 
green. It was composed of Hessians and regulars, the 
subjects of Great Britain, martially designated. They 
were suffered to stroll around among the inhabitants and 
beg for food, until ordered to march forward to the place 
destined for their reception. One of the Hessians died, 
and Hendrich Bale, another, lingered behind, became an 
inhabitant of this town and married Sarah Hotchkis 
They had three sons, Fredrich, Salmon and Josiah. For 
the particulars of their capture and ultimate fate, the 
reader is referred to the history of the Revolution. 

The assembly, at their session in 1778, ordered each 
town in this state, to appoint a committee, vested with full 
power and directed to establish a uniform price through 
the state for labor per day, the price of every article of 
produce, every manufactured article, tavern prices, etc.* 
The object is not stated. A few specimens will here be 
noticed, in abstract. Labor, per day, 3s. 6d., 4s. 4£d. 
and 5s. 3d., specifying the different seasons of the year, 
and the kinds of labor ; a good narrow axe and scythe, 
each lis. 3d.; a good broad hoe, 7s. 6d. Joiners, per 
day, 5s. 3d. and 6s. ljd. Carpenters, 7s. Masons, 7s. 
10 id. Tailors, 5s. 3d. Tailoresses, 2s. 2d. Tavern 
keepers, for a good meal of victuals, Is. 2d., for a mug 
of cider, 7d, good West India rum, per gill, Is.; New 
England rum, 8d. ; a mug of flip, made of good West 
India rum, 2s. 4d. ; other rums, Is. 8d., etc. The 
original list, a singular document, is on file in the town 
clerk's office. 

The same year, 1778, this town presented a petition 
to the assembly of this state, through a county conven- 
tion assembled" at Litchfield, for an alteration in the 
mode of taxation ; and, also, that the journals of the as- 
sembly be published. They were determined, it seems, 

* Said committee were— Giles Pettibone, Michael Mills, Titus Ives, 
and Timothy Gay lord. 



20 HISTORY OF THE 

to proceed deliberately and understanding^ in every 
measure proposed to them and to be adopted by them, 
intended for the public good. 

In 1780, the inhabitants who were required to aid in 
prosecuting the defensive war in which we were en- 
gaged, were divided into three classes, each class was to 
furnish a soldier for the continental service ; and for 
their encouragement, the town voted to give each man 
drafted, or enlisted into the continental service, £3 per 
month in addition to their stipulated wages ; and in 
order to enable them to pay this premium, they 
levied a tax of 3£d. on the £1, to continue for three 
successive years. Both foot and cavalry were entitled 
to receive it ; it was payable in produce, and a com- 
mittee was appointed to receive and distribute it. Polls 
were exempted from paying this tax, the first year. Soon 
after, an additional tax was levied for the same purpose, 
of Is. on the £1, to be paid in state or continental 
money ; or if any one chose to pay in produce, at the 
stated price, it was to be received at the rate of 6d. on 
the £1. The next year, 1781, the town voted, that 100 
silver dollars should be received of a militia class, in- 
stead of a man. This $100, was to be distributed equal- 
ly to each of the three classes. At this time, state's 
money was estimated at $2 for one of silver, and conti- 
nental bills, $72 for one of silver, and it continued to 
depreciate until $100 was required for a bushel of wheat. 
A committee was appointed at the same meeting, to 
Regulate their appropriations according to the deprecia- 
tion of the paper currency. 

In 1782, pursuant to an order from the general as- 
sembly, (each town in the state having similar orders,) 
this town collected a stated quantity of provisions for 
the use of the army, consisting of pork, beef, flour, etc. 
These were to be deposited in a convenient place, and 
ready when called for. Inspectors of provisions were 
annually appointed, for several years. The articles were 
placed under the care of a man appointed for the pur- 
pose, for safe keeping. By some means — not stated — 
the provisions thus deposited were so damaged as not to 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 21 

be fit for the purpose designed. The loss was estimated 
at £50. A serious loss, considering their circumstances 
at that time. 

While suffering under public losses and individual 
embarrassment, heightened by the chilling clangor of 
war, our fathers were sustained, and were still alive to, 
and active in their duty, numerous as were the calls, 
domestic and in defence of their rights. 

In 1784, our people sent in, by their representatives, 
a remonstrance, embracing the subjects — of collecting 
debts, the mode of taxation, and particularly against the 
commutation act. On the subject of collecting debts, 
this, as it respected the congressional laws, may have re- 
ference to the case of the claims of those persons, who 
in the revolutionary struggle, from choice or some other 
reason, removed to, or continued under the British go- 
vernment ; or more particularly, it respected the laws of 
this state on the subject, then in operation, which were 
considered very oppressive. On the subject of taxation, 
they directed their representatives to propose and urge 
an alteration in the mode of taxation, the enactment of a 
substitute by which they might be taxed simply accord- 
ing to their property. The manner then pursued they 
considered as unequitable. They likewise claimed as 
citizens, the privilege of open doors and free admission 
to hear the debates of the assembly ; and, also, that the 
yeas and nays of both houses, on any and every impor- 
tant subject discussed, shall be published. They were 
particularly directed to remonstrate against the commu- 
tation act, and through the legislature of this state, to 
urge congress to desist. (Congress had made a commu- 
tation of the half-pay for life, to the officers of the conti- 
nental army, or those of them who preferred it, granting 
the gross sum of five years' pay in money or securities at 
6 per cent, per annum.) At the close of the petition, 
our fathers, in their usual spirited style, asserted that the 
measure was unconstitutional, and very alarming to free 
citizens, and an infringement of the articles of confeder- 
ation of the United States. 

As the ocean in a mighty storm, tossing its billows to 



22 HISTORY OF THE 

the sky, when the storm ceases, gradually subsides, and 
calmly settles into its bed, so with political convulsions, 
it must take time to cease from agitation, and to settle 
into a calm. This town, though remote from the san- 
guinary scene, continued to feel the tremulous motion, 
and years elapsed before the effects of war had ceased ; 
they were well prepared, by multiplied calamities, proper- 
ly to appreciate and relish the return of peace and quiet. 

The inhabitants of this town had, in the course of the 
war, slowly progressed in improvements — population 
had increased, fields were cleared, roads opened, school- 
houses erected, heavy taxes liquidated, and calls for 
charity were apparently met with a cheerful heart. 

Soon after the war closed, many enterprising families 
and single young men emigrated from this town to 
Vermont ; and, subsequently, a still greater number to 
the western and north-western parts of New-York and 
Pennsylvania, and onward to the State of Ohio, particu- 
larly into that section of it called New Connecticut, or, 
the Western Reserve, so that travellers from this town 
to the north, north-west and west, by enquiring or acci- 
dentally, will find and meet those whom he can recognize 
as natives of this town ; and that many who people those 
new settlements, were descendants from our first settlers, 
or had recently gone from us. 

In 1787, a circumstance occurred, which, for its 
novelty and the rare sport it afforded, may well be 
noticed in this place. While the congregation was as- 
sembled, and devoutly engaged in celebrating the annual 
thanksgiving, the speaker having commenced his sermon, 
a messenger entered the house, and with a firm and 
manly step, walked partly up the middle aisle, with his eye 
fixed on the speaker full of meaning and intelligence ; 
the speaker paused ; and he informed the crowded as- 
sembly, that five wolves — a dog and slut, with three pups 
almost full grown — were now on Haystack Mountain, 
partly surrounded by men already collected, and that 
more men were wanted to assist in destroying them, 
The speaker replied, he thought it a duty for every man 
to turn out and combat these invaders ; immediately a 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 2?> 

great part of the male members of the congregation rose 
from their seats, and flew to the scene of action. A line 
was formed round the mountain, distributing at proper 
distances those who were supplied with guns and ammu- 
nition, and the whole circle was directed by leaders, 
emulous to excel ; the line gradually contracted as they 
ascended the mountain on every side, silent and cautious, 
until the files were nearly closed. The ravenous in- 
vaders now appeared in rapid flight, coming towards the 
line, the clubs and pitchforks were raised, the guns 
elevated in martial form, the balls whizzed, and part of 
the wolves were killed on the spot, the remainder rush- 
ed to the opposite section of the line, where they met 
their fate, except the dog-wolf, who, frightened and en- 
raged, rushed through the line — clubs, pitchforks, and 
guns notwithstanding — but the steady and well-aimed 
fire-arms soon stopped him, filling his body with balls, not 
counted until more at leisure. They were all brought 
down into the village in triumph, and exhibited to a 
numerous collection of people ; many, who dispensed 
with their usual Thanksgiving feast around the fireside 
of their quiet homes, were seen gratifying their sight 
rather than their appetites. 

From 1787 to 1811, few occurrences transpired 
worthy of historical record. This time was principally 
occupied in attending to the common run of town and 
society business. The reader is referred to the sum- 
mary of events, annexed, for the particular transactions 
and occurrences included in this interim. 

1811. — September 16th, in a special meeting of the 
inhabitants, a proposal was made to build a new meet- 
ing-house, by raising a sum by subscription sufficient, 
with the usual tax of individuals liable to pay society taxes, 
to defray the expense. After a free discussion of the 
subject a vote was taken, and passed in the affirmative. 
A committee was appointed, residing in the different 
school districts, to solicit subscriptions. They soon ob- 
tained $1827. Another committee was appointed to 
ascertain the centre of the town in order to fix the site 
for the meeting-house. But at a meeting, assembled 



24 HISTORY OF THE 

the 9th of the next December, the above votes were re- 
scinded, and one passed very unanimously to defray the 
whole expense of building the meeting-house by sub- 
scription. The money subscribed, to be paid in three 
equal and annual instalments, beginning in one year from 
the above date. A new committee was appointed to 
solicit subscriptions. They very readily obtained the 
amount of $4437.75, and several gentlemen engaged to 
add to their subscription if necessary. The remainder 
of the expense was paid by a subsequent subscription. 
Michael F. Mills, Esq., was appointed an agent to con- 
tract for, and superintend the building and finishing of 
the house. The site for the house was established June 
15th, 1812. Mr. David Hoadly was engaged as archi- 
tect ; and the business commenced early in the spring of 
1813. The business proceeded with great regularity and 
faithfulness. The house was completed in 1814, and 
was dedicated in August of the same year. Its cost 
was $6000. It was furnished with a good clock, by the 
liberality of the Rev. Thomas Robbins, a son of our 
first and beloved pastor. In 1822, an organ was pro- 
cured and set in the front gallery, where accommoda- 
tions were prepared to seat the choir of singers. 

1811. — October 28th, Mr. Robbins having preached to 
this people 50 years, prepared and preached a half cen- 
tury sermon, his text was Acts, 26th chapter, 22d and 23d 
verses. He remarked, in course of his sermon, that, since 
the church was first gathered in this town, 549 members 
had been added to it. He had baptized 1277 persons, the 
most of them were children of those who were in full 
communion, a few were adults. He had attended 760 
burials, the average number for each year being about 
15. He had joined 276 couple in marriage. (The num- 
ber joined by civil authority not known.) He had 
preached 6500 sermons, including those preached abroad. 
He also remarked that, at that time, there were but two 
persons living who belonged to this church when he was 
ordained — Mrs. Dorothy Case, of this town, and Major 
Noah Allen, of Tyringham. He said that, in the whole 
course of his ministry, there had been but two cases 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 25 

of distraint for ministerial taxes, and those two per- 
sons had turned to other denominations after their tax 
became due ; a striking and convincing proof of the 
harmony and of the willingness of his people to give 
him support. 

From the second year after his settlement, his salary 
was established at £70 annually, during life ; but, from 
1779 to 1783, he generously relinquished £14 of his 
salary, annually, on account of the heavy taxes and 
pressing calls for pecuniary aid in prosecuting the revo- 
lutionary war. From that time to 1793 he received £70 
per annum, when it was advanced to £90; and in 1806 
it was set, by mutual agreement, at $300 during his 
ability to preach. 

Mr. Robbins performed the duties of a chaplain in 
the army nearly through the year of 1776, for several 
regiments. In 1783, he was on a mission to the west 
for eight months ; and, in 1794-5-6, he performed 
five several tours of missionary service in the destitute 
new settlements, in the northern parts of Vermont, and 
in the western and north-western parts of the state of 
New-York. He was absent from his people two or 
three times, for a few weeks each time, on account of 
ill health. When with his people — which was generally 
the case — he was very faithful and prompt in attending 
to every call for pastoral duty, and exhibited a very 
happy talent in his conversation on religious subjects, 
in his addresses to his people from the pulpit, and in 
all the performances of his sacred office. In addition 
to this, and in consequence of his peculiar talent for 
teaching, he prepared many young gentlemen for a 
collegiate education — residents of this town and from 
various and distant parts of the country. 

From 1811, Mr. Robbins' health gradually declined, 
but he was able to preach some part of the time until 
the summer of 1813. He met with his people for the 
last time for public worship, on the Sabbath, a little 
before the old meeting-house was taken down ; being 
unable to ascend the pulpit, he rose in his pew, and 
closed the services of the day by a short but solemn 



26 HISTORY OF THE 

address, and then, after a very appropriate and fervent 
prayer, retired from the congregation of his beloved 
people, to meet them no more, until he met them at 
the bar of God to render their account — a scene to 
which he had often referred them. 

1813.— October 31st, Mr. Robbins died, aged 73. 
At the particular request of this afflicted people, the 
Rev. Dr. Lee, of Colebrook, met them and preached 
the funeral sermon. Text, 2d of Kings, 2d chapter, 
12th verse. He rose in the desk and exclaimed, 
" My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the 
horsemen thereof." These words, uttered with his 
usual pathos, with the remains of the good man lying 
before him, dressed for the tomb, were peculiarly af- 
fecting. In the course of his sermon he remarked, 
Mr. Robbins was truly a son of the Sabbath ; he was 
born on the Sabbath ; he was new born, as he hoped, 
on the Sabbath, and he died on the Sabbath. He also 
mentioned the following anecdote, of a nature calcu- 
lated to bring into exercise all the sensibilities of filial 
affection. In reply to a remark, made by Dr. Lee to him 
a few years since, " How happy you are, Mr. Robbins, 
in your people ; so united, so attached to your person, 
and so attentive to your ministry." " O," said the good 
man, with the tear of parental affection glistening in his 
eyes, " the people of Norfolk are my children ; I have 
buried their fathers, and brought them up from infancy." 

In the course of Mr. Robbins' ministry, there were se- 
veral revivals of religion. The first season noticed 
was in 1767, 10 members were added to the church. 
In 1783-4, another occurred, 52 were added. In 1798 
-9, 160 were added, and the whole number of com- 
municants at that time was 300. Few years, if any, had 
passed without some additions to the church. About 
the time of Mr. Emerson's ordination, viz., in 1815 
-16, another revival occurred, 122 were added. The 
whole number of members at this time was 216. In 
1827, 103 were added. The diminution of the number 
of communicants, from 1799 to 1816, was from deaths 
among the members, as a common cause ; but particu- 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 27 

larly dismissions and recommendations to other churches, 
in that peculiar time for emigration. 

A custom was adopted and practised, nearly through 
the whole course of Mr. Robbins' ministry, which, to 
those who did not enter into the spirit of it, and perhaps 
to those of the present generation, might seem rather 
papistical, or as showing undue respect and reverence 
for the clergy ; but, to the writer, it was a pleasing 
exhibition — it was this : the congregation being generally 
present, and seated, Mr. Robbins, punctual to the time, 
entered the house ; he took off his hat, walked up the 
broad aisle, bowing to the right and to the left, as if to 
say, Good morning, my dear people : the people on each 
side responded to the compliment, and rose as he passed 
along, as if answering, Good morning, our dear pastor. 
He then ascended the pulpit, hung up his hat, turned 
and bowed to those seated in the galleries, and to the 
choir of singers, as if to say, Good morning, my dear 
children, and you who aid me in the divine service ; 
they rose, as his eyes passed round upon them, without 
tumult, as if replying, Good morning, our dear father in 
Christ. This ceremony was performed in a graceful 
manner, particularly on the part of the pastor. This 
interchange of civility, giving it no more tender epithet, 
was indicative of the respect and unfeigned love of his 
people towards him as their spiritual instructor and 
guide. 

The writer, and those readers still living who sat 
under his ministry, remember his manner in general, 
while officiating as a gospel minister; his manner, in 
the administration of the Lord's Supper, was peculiarly 
solemn and impressive. After arranging the sacramental 
furniture and the elements in due order, he addressed 
the members in a few words appropriate to the occasion ; 
he then invited the communicants to unite with him 
in prayer to the great Head of the church, for His bless- 
ing on the elements and on each guest. After the prayer 
was closed, he proceeded in the service by breaking the 
bread, saying to the communicants, " Thus, as you see 
this bread broken, was the body of Jesus bruised and 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

broken for your sins." He then commenced a kind of 
audible soliloquy, very helpful in directing the medita- 
tions of the communicants to proper subjects. The 
following words were generally repeated, or those of 
similar import : 

" He was wounded for our transgressions. He was 
bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our 
peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. 
All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned 
every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on 
Him the iniquities of us all. He was oppressed, and He 
was afflicted ; yet He opened not His mouth. He is 
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep be- 
fore her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His 
mouth." He then, after suitable reflections, exhibited 
the bread to the view r of the communicants, and then 
said, " Beloved brothers and sisters, this bread, now 
broken before you, taken from a common and ordinary 
use, is now consecrated, and, so much as is necessary, 
appropriated to this sacramental use and purpose, ex- 
hibits to you, symbolically, the broken body of our Lord 
Jesus, which was broken for the sins of the w r orld. I 
do, therefore, as His minister, however unworthy, in- 
vite you all to partake of it, remembering that, as oft as 
you do this, you do shew forth the Lord's death until He 
come." 

After the bread was distributed, he took the flagon, 
and, filling a cup with wine, exhibited it, saying, "Christ 
also took the cup and gave thanks, saying, ' This 
is the New Testament in my blood, which was shed for 
you, for the remission of sins.' Let us imitate His ex- 
ample, and give thanks at the remembrance of His 
mercies." After giving thanks, he invited the communi- 
cants all to partake of the wine, which represented His 
blood, shed to wash away sin. Use it in a believing and 
thankful remembrance of Christ crucified, and in love 
and charity to one another. After the distribution of 
the wine, he said, " Supper being ended, our Saviour 
and His disciples sang a hymn. Let us imitate their ex- 
ample and sing." He then gave the blessing, which was 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 29 

generally expressed in the following words " Now the 
God of peace, that brought again from the dead our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 
throuo-h the blood of the everlasting covenant, make 
you perfect in every good work to do His will, working 
in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through 
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. 

A_men." 

Hitherto, both town and ecclesiastical society busi- 
ness has been conducted by the whole town in a corpo- 
rate capacity. For this reason, the history ol both has 
been connected and brought down together ; and the 
compiler takes the liberty still to pursue the same 

P In 1814 February 28th, an ecclesiastical society was 
organized, and the appropriate funds and business were 
transferred to it from the town, and it has since been 
conducted separately. . 

1815 May 22d, the society gave a unanimous vote, 
to call Mr. Ralph Emerson to settle over them as their 
gospel minister, he having preached to us a suitable 
time on probation. June 10th, Mr. Emerson accepted 
the call, and the stipend offered him, and was ordained 
the 12th day of the same month. The society continu- 
ed well satisfied with the result, and their estimation of 
the man increased during his parochial services with 

In' 1817, a meeting of the society having assembled 
pursuant to a notice given, a proposition was aid be- 
fore them to establish an ecclesiastical society fund. 
After an animated discussion of the subject a constitu- 
tion, already drawn, was presented and read, and delibe- 
rated upon for a short time, and adopted. It was ex- 
pressly stipulated, that it shall accumulate until it 
amounts to the sum of $6666.67, the interest is then to 
be used annually, to pay the salary of a congregational 
or presbyterian minister who may settle oyer tins 
society. It continued gradually to accumulate until 
1824, Avhen it was increased by a donation ol $8^4, 
from Joseph Battell, Esq., with this condition, that when 



30 HISTORY OF THE 

the fund became full, $50 of the interest of said fund 
shall be appropriated for the improvement of church or 
sacred music. It continued to accumulate, and no inter- 
est used, until 1845, when it amounted to $10,118.25. 

In 1818, Augustus Pettibone and Joseph Battell, Esqs. 
were appointed delegates to the convention for forming 
the constitution of this state. 

In 1819, a conference-room was built, in connection 
with the centre school-house, cost $1000 for the whole 
building, furnished with a large stove, and occupied oc- 
casionally for a school of higher order. 

In 1822, a library company was formed. Incorporated 
in March, 1824. The number of volumes first pur- 
chased was 142, considerable additions have been 
annually made to the number since. The inhabitants of 
the town have enjoyed many advantages for acquiring 
general information. A variety of newspapers, designed 
to give the news of the day, religious, literary, political 
and amusing. Several of the best periodical works have 
been taken and read with avidity, and profit. 

In 1826, a society was formed and organized, for the 
promotion and practice of sacred music, which has since 
been greatly improved, and accompanied by an organ. 

The singing for public worship, in the early times in 
this place, was conducted in the following manner : after 
the clergyman had given out the psalm and read it, the 
senior deacon began by reading the first line, which was 
suno-, and then the next line was read and suno;, and so 
on through the psalm. The leaders needed little more 
than strength of voice to recommend them to the notice 
of those who united with them, and of the congregation 
generally. A gamut, with a few concise rules, and a 
small number of psalm tunes were annexed, this being 
their only source of instruction in the science of sacred 
music. The singers were mostly composed of the 
middle-aged class, and were seated with their families and 
seat-mates in the lower part of the house. In this 
scattered situation they waited for the leader to com- 
mence. He must give the tune, the pitch and the im- 
petus. When he had sung a few notes, the tune and 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 31 

the sound was caught by the attentive ears of the per- 
formers, and Old Hundred, or some of its respected 
cotemporaries was alternately sung devoutly, and, " in 
lofty strains and cadence sweet," it arose from the 
scattered performers, who each, except the leaders, de- 
pended on others for time and movement, but were in- 
dependent as to emphasis and diction. From a full heart 
flowed the sincere tribute of sacred and grateful praise. 
And, though a critic might say there was a jar in the 
pronunciation of the words used, and not the most 
perfect harmony in the melody, yet, so far as they were 
devoutly uttered, they were accepted as they entered in- 
to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 

This method appears to have been in use until 1774, 
when we find the choristers were annually appointed in 
regular town meetings. A choir was collected and seat- 
ed in the front seats of the galleries. The town con- 
tinued to superintend the singing until 1790, the last 
notice on record of the appointment of choristers by the 
town. The first appropriation to aid the choir, w.as $12 
in 1798. In 1805, $60 was given by vote. In 1807, 
$60 more. Sums were sometimes expended for that 
purpose, at the discretion of the selectmen. At other 
times, sums were raised by subscription, and teachers 
hired from abroad. This choir has generally been am- 
bitious to excel in that important and pleasant part of 
divine worship. They have almost uniformly borne the 
palm, when set in competition with the neighboring 
choirs, and it is believed, few exceed this at the present 
time. They have, as before noticed, in reversion, an 
annual sum of $50, as an income to encourage them in 
their present exertions. 

In the spring of 1828, Mr. Emerson received a 
communication from the trustees of the Hudson Col- 
lege, Ohio, stating the proposed designation of him to 
the presidency of that institution. The trustees, at a 
subsequent meeting, not having received a timely an- 
swer to their communication, proceeded to elect Mr. 
Emerson as their president. He was soon informed of 
the appointment, and on the Sabbath, June 1st, he gave 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

the necessary information to his congreation, and stated 
in a few words his feelings on the subject, and also the 
need and propriety of visiting the institution, before 
deciding in his own mind as to his duty in the case. 
Having engaged a supply for his pulpit during his ab- 
sence, he, with Mrs. Emerson, commenced their journey 
June 3d. During his absence the public mind was con- 
siderably agitated on the subject, and his people in par- 
ticular waited with great anxiety for his return, and to 
know the result of his visit. After an absence of seve- 
ral weeks he returned home, July 17th, and was very 
cordially welcomed by his parishioners. 

Sunday, July 20th, he addressed his congregation from 
the following text — Isaiah, 59th chapter, latter clause 
of the 19th verse : " When the enemy shall come in 
like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard 
against him." In the course of his remarks, he gave a 
description of the moral state of the country through 
which he had passed ; wishing at the same time by no 
means to be understood as characterizing the whole pop- 
ulation. He should enumerate some of the most promi- 
nent crimes chargeable on a portion of the inhabitants ; 
such as intemperance, sabbath-breaking, infidelity, lying 
for gain, etc., an exhibition, showing that the enemy was 
indeed coming into that part like a flood, and instigating 
the inhabitants to the practice of the most flagrant 
crimes that our depraved nature is prone to exhibit. He 
then turned from the disgusting picture, and proclaimed 
to his audience that the Lord was evidently setting up 
a standard against the adversary — a delightful contrast; 
after mentioning several particulars which went to show 
the movements of the mighty conquerer, he said he 
considered the institution in question, if well-established 
and judiciously conducted, would be a powerful means 
for suppressing the prominent vices of that widely-ex- 
tended population, and a standard against the arch- 
enemy. He thought the institution ought to be patron- 
ized. He then concluded his discourse, by strongly ur- 
ging it as the duty of every individual and congregated 
church, in these highly-favoured settlements, to exert 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 33 

themselves by every means in their power, to aid in the 
attempt to enlighten and reform that scattered people, 
many of whom were emigrants from this part of the 
country and endeared to us by the bonds of natural 
affection and consanguinity. At the close of the meet- 
ing, a church-meeting was warned, for the purpose of 
discussing and acting on the subject of his accepting 
the appointment of the said institution, and his dismis- 
sion from the pastoral care and engagements to this 
church and people. 

July 23d, the church-meeting was held pursuant to 
the warning given, and the subject of Mr. Emerson's 
appointment was fully elucidated and discussed : — first, 
by reading the correspondence between the trustees of 
the college and Mr. Emerson, showing their urgent call 
and unanimous election ; the state of their funds ; the 
present satisfaction expressed by the community in 
general, respecting the location of the college, etc. 
These, with numerous minor considerations, which had 
an immediate bearing on the concerns of the institution, 
together with the consideration of the moral state of the 
people residing in that section of our country, as ex- 
hibited on the preceding Sabbath, were presented, as 
affording weighty arguments in favor of his dismission 
and acceptance of the appointment alluded to. 

On the other side, was mentioned, as an opposing ar- 
gument, the situation of this church in relation to those 
in its vicinity ; the attachment of this people to their 
pastor ; the unsettled condition of most of the neigh- 
boring churches and congregations at the time ; the 
present need of the standard of the gospel being firmly 
fixed and defended in this place. These, with many 
other considerations, were strongly urged against re- 
leasing Mr. Emerson from his pastoral charge. The ar- 
guments on both sides being freely and sufficiently pre- 
sented, a motion was made and seconded, to unite with 
their pastor in submitting the subject to the decision of 
the north consociation of Litchfield county. The votes 
were taken by yeas and nays, which stood as follows : 
nays, 58 ; yeas, 6. 

August 30th, Mr. Storrs, professor of theology in 

3 



34 HISTORY OF THE 

Hudson college, arrived with the intention, if possible, to 
obtain Mr. Emerson. After eight days' deliberation, a 
meeting was warned to act on the subject. September 
15th, the society met, pursuant to the warning given. 
The meeting was organized ; a prayer for divine direc- 
tion offered. Mr. Storrs being present, it was proposed 
and voted to give Mr. Storrs, as an a^ent from the cor- 
poration, full liberty to communicate needed information, 
the particular request of the trustees, and to remark 
freely on the subject to any extent he should judge expe- 
dient in the course of the investigations. The liberty 
was politely accepted, and faithfully improved. After a 
free, lengthy, and interesting discussion of the subject 
under consideration, Mr. Emerson having previously ex- 
pressed a wish to submit the matter, unreservedly, to 
the decision of his church and society, he now said, he 
should cheerfully acquiesce in the result of their deliber- 
ations ; yet, as they declined taking the responsibility on 
themselves, he would now ask the church and society in 
their corporate capacity, to unite with him in submitting 
the business to the decision of the consociation, which 
was soon to convene. The minds of the members of 
this meeting were then taken by yeas and nays, which 
counted as follows : nays, 95 ; yeas, 18 ; and the meet- 
ing was dissolved. Here the matter rested for a short 
time, and the agitated state of the public mind had, in a 
measure, subsided. Mr. Emerson continued cheerfully 
and faithfully to perform his pastoral duties ; the calm, 
however, was of short duration. 

October 18th, 1829, Mr. Emerson communicated 
to the congregation the anticipated official information, 
at the close of divine service, respecting his appoint- 
ment to the station of Brown professor of ecclesiastical 
history and lecturer on pastoral theology in the theo- 
logical seminary at Andover, and his acceptance of the 
appointment, provided his pastoral connection with this 
church and society should be regularly dissolved ; de- 
claring at the same time, that his personal attachment 
to this people remained undiminished. A church and 
society-meeting was warned. 

October 22d, the society met, pursuant to a warn- 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 35 

ing given, and being organized, Mr. Emerson again 
read the communication and a proposition respecting 
his call, and other documents relating to the case in 
question. The meeting then proceeded to act on the 
subject. A motion was offered to try the minds of the 
meeting, by yeas and nays, whether they would concur 
with Mr. Emerson, in referring the question under con- 
sideration to the decision of a select council, or the 
consociation. After due deliberation, the votes were 
taken and counted : yeas, 1 1 ; nays, 70. Mr. Emerson 
then notified the people present, that he felt it his duty 
(however painful the circumstances in which he was 
placed) to refer the question to the consociation, which 
were expected soon to meet. Upon this declaration, 
the society proceeded to appoint a committee of three 
to represent and act for the society at the expected 
meeting of the consociation. 

Immediately after the society-meeting was closed, the 
church-meeting was organized; a prayer was offered 
for direction, the necessary preliminaries were gone 
through, and the documents relating to the subject pre- 
sented, so far as was requisite. Mr. Emerson expressed 
his peculiar and undiminished attachment to the church; 
but at the same time declared his willingness to accept 
the appointment, should such a measure be thought con- 
ducive to the general interest of Christ's kingdom. He 
then expressed his intention to refer the subject to the 
decision of the consociation ; the church then pro- 
ceeded to appoint a committee of three, to act in the 
case before the consociation. The \ote not to concur, 
taken previous to Mr. Emerson's declaration of his 
intention, stood about the same, as to proportion, as did 
that of the society. 

Nov. 3d, the consociation having convened, and a 
prayer offered by the moderator for direction, on this 
interesting occasion, a public and free discussion of the 
subject before them commenced early in the afternoon, 
and continued until 9 o'clock in the evening. 

They were addressed by the committees, both of the 
church and society, giving, by numerous and cogent ar- 



36 HISTORY OF THE 

guments, reasons why they could not consent to Mr. 
Emerson's dismission. On the other side, Mr. Banister, 
an agent sent from the Andover institution, being pre- 
sent, he, with our committees, each in their turn, ad- 
dressed the consociation with energy and pathos ; 
pleading for and against his dismission ; Mr. Banister 
pleading for liberty to place him in that institution, 
according to his appointment. After a patient attention 
to the several addresses mentioned, and to remarks 
made on the question before them, offered by the cler- 
gymen and laymen who composed the consociation, 
they found much embarrassment on the ground of legal 
right to dismiss Mr. Emerson, as a mutual contract was 
entered into, and still existing with his people, and 
in undisputed operation. At this stage of their proceed- 
ings, a motion was made to appoint a committee of 
overtures, to consist of three clergymen and two lay- 
men ; they were accordingly appointed and directed 
to draft a resolution on the subject before the meeting, 
and report the next day. 

November 4th, they again met, and requested the 
committee of overtures to report; having the precau- 
tion to close the doors before the doings of said com- 
mittee were declared. The result of their deliberations 
was, a resolve in favor of dismissing Mr. Emerson. 
The consociation then entered on an animated discus- 
sion of the merits of the case ; the result was a rejection 
or non-acceptance of their report. A second committee 
was then appointed, consisting of one clergyman and one 
layman ; they were directed further to investigate the 
subject, and report to the consociation. The result was 
a resolve decidedly against Mr. Emerson's dismission, 
which report was accepted and approved of by the con- 
sociation, and decided accordingly. 

The choir of singers were collected at the meeting- 
house for the purpose of practising, as were the people 
who assembled on this occasion, anxiously waiting the 
final result. They were notified that the consociation 
were ready publickly to declare their decision, and were 
on their way from the conference-room to the meeting- 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 37 

house. The moment they began to walk up the broad 
aisle, the choir commenced singing, accompanied with 
the organ in its loftiest tone, the anthem, " Hear, O thou 
Shepherd of Israel." The members of the consociation 
and the people who were collected on the occasion stood 
as thy entered their seats, and some continued in the 
aisle until the anthem closed ; they then took their seats, 
and the scribe read the proceedings of the consociation 
and the final result of their deliberations. The scribe 
then closed with prayer, after declaring their decision, 
that they could not dismiss Mr. Emerson from his people. 
The choir then rose, and with an elevated voice, chant- 
ed the doxology, " Praise God, from whom all bless- 
ings flow," at the close of which the congregation dis- 
persed and went to their homes to carry the joyful tidings. 
The minds of this people were, for a few days, quiet, 
and Mr. Emerson, as on a former and similar occasion, 
cheerfully, as it appeared, continued to perform his pa- 
rochial duties. Hope, though, dashed with fear, was en- 
tertained that his recent call would be no further urged, 
and that we should for years enjoy his very acceptable 
labors. Nothing further was heard from Andover in- 
stitution by the people generally, but it was known by 
some that Mr. Emerson received frequent communica- 
tions from that board- 
Sabbath, November 1 5th, at the close of divine service 
Mr. Emerson, addressing, with tender affection, the be- 
loved church and people of his charge, communicated 
the following : " I have just received a renewal of the 
application for my removal to the theological seminary 
at Andover. In view of it, the request which I feel bound 
in duty to make is extremely trying to my heart, un- 
speakably more so than if I could truly say, you had 
become less the object of respect and affection than in 
days that are past. Gladly would I be delivered from 
this hour, but it cannot be. It is not that I regard you 
less, but that I regard the cause of Christ more, that I 
again disturb you on so delicate a question. My request 
is as brief as it is comprehensive, viz., that in a spirit of 



38 HISTORY OF THE 

Christian love, you would consent to the dissolution of 
my present pastoral relation, or at least to a reference 
of this question to the decision of the consociation ; 
some reasons were then given for urging this request. 

A church and society-meeting was then warned to 
meet November 19th. The public mind was again agi- 
tated ; but, by reason of this renewed claim to a further 
consideration of the subject, and Mr. Emerson's desires 
being, at this time, clearly and decidedly expressed re- 
specting it, the result of the subsequent meetings, both of 
the church and society, showed that they were not pre- 
pared, as on a similar occasion, to oppose him. 

November 19th, 1829, the ecclesiastical society met, 
and proceeded to act on the question of Mr. Emer- 
son's dismission. After suitable time was spent in con- 
versing freely on the subject, a memorial was read by 
Mr. Emerson, stating his reasons for urging his present 
claim, and other matter relating to the question under 
consideration ; a document full of interest, and calcula- 
ted to calm the mind as to the course pursued by him 
in this trying case. This was addressed to the church 
and society connected, and after deliberating for a short, 
time, the society first, and then the church, voted with 
unanimity to accede to the request of their pastor in call- 
ing a council. A council was accordingly mutually cho- 
sen, consisting of five clergymen, all of whom were mem- 
bers of the late meeting of the consociation ; these were 
authorized to act definitively on the question of Mr. 
Emerson's dismissal from his pastoral relation to this 
people. 

Tuesday, November 24th, 1829, the day fixed for the 
council to meet, four of the council appointed con- 
vened, the church and society were assembled, the neces- 
sary communications were laid before them by the pas- 
tor. After a serious and careful attention to the several 
documents relating to the subject, were presented, and 
to various facts related by the pastor and the several 
committees, the unanimity, both of the church and society 
in acceding to Mr. Emerson's request, was very evi- 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



39 



dent. No opposition appearing, they proceeded formally 
to dismiss Mr. Emerson from his pastoral charge over 
this people, which was done by a unanimous vote. 

Sabbath, November 29th, in the afternoon Mr. Emer- 
son delivered a very appropriate and pathetic farewell 
discourse. In the introductory part of it, he presented 
some statistical estimates regarding the church, which 
may be interesting to the reader. Some of them were 
taken from Mr. 'Robbins' records of the church du- 
ring his ministry, also in the interim from his death to 
Mr. Emerson's settlement, and down to the present 
time, 1829. 

From Mr. Robbins' settlement, in 1761, to his death, in 1813 : 

The number of baptisms was - 1-97 

Admissions to the church, - - - 553 

Deaths, greater part infant children, - - 794 

From Mr. Robbins' death, to the settlement of Mr. Emerson : 

Baptisms, 29 adults, 34 children, - 63 

Admissions, by letter and profession, - - 101 

Deaths, 34 

Since Mr. Emerson's settlement over this church and society : 
Baptisms, 61 adults, 283 children, - - 344 

Admissions by letter and profession, - - 257 

Deaths, aside from infants, 85 males, 85 females, 208, in all. 

The whole number, since the church was organized, stands thus : 

Baptisms, l704 

Members of the church, - - - - 91 o 

« " " present number, - 350 

Deaths, 1<> 02 

Mr. Emerson remarked, that, of the whole number 
who have joined this church by profession, nearly 3 
to 1 were the fruit of revivals. He also remarked, 
that, during the period of his connection with this 
church, " We have enjoyed great harmony, in religious 
doctrines and practice, and there has been little to 
molest or to make us afraid." 

After addressing, separately, the aged, the middle- 



40 HISTORY OF THE 

aged, the youth and children, the church, the parish, 
the choir of singers, and those persons he must leave 
in an impenitent state, he bade the whole congregation 
of his people an affectionate farewell. December 2d. 
1829, he left Norfolk, to go and labor in another part 
of the vineyard of his Divine Master. 

In 1829, a temperance society was instituted and 
organized ; a goodly number subscribed and submit- 
ted to its regulations. In the course of that year, several 
meetings of the society were held, and the number of 
subscribers greatly increased. In 1830, the society 
purchased, by subscription, tracts on the intemperate 
use of ardent spirits, a number sufficient to distribute 
to every family in town ; they were well written, and 
calculated to promote the object of their publication- 

1830, May 17th, the ecclesiastical society and church, 
having had the ministerial services of the Rev. John A. 
Albro for six Sabbaths, were allowed to consider him as 
a candidate for settlement, by permission of his people 
in Chelmsford. After he returned home, the society 
assembled for the purpose of giving him a call, to unite 
with this people in the capacity of a gospel minister. 
A very respectable majority appeared in the affirmative,, 
and a salary of $600 annually was voted for his services, 
if he accepted the call. The church delayed acting in 
the case, until June 3d, at which time they voted, almost 
unanimously, to unite with the society in giving him a 
call. The result of the meeting was soon comunicated 
to Mr. Albro, and the people waited for his answer 
with anxiety. June 11th, we received a communication 
from him, stating his situation in relation to his people, 
whose exertions, during his absence, had been great,, 
and they were likely to be able to render a good sup- 
port and respectable accommodations for their pastor. 
For those reasons he declined accepting a call from 
us. Thus the society was disappointed, and another 
candidate sought for. 

1830, October 11th, Mr. John Mitchel, having preach- 
ed to this congregation several Sabbaths, the church 
and society met for the purpose of eliciting the minds 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 41 

of the people, respecting giving him a call. The society 
exhibited a large majority in the affirmative, and voted 
a salary of $650. The church, when called to act by 
themselves, voted unanimously to concur with the 
society in giving him a call permanently to reside 
with them as their gospel minister. The result of our 
proceedings was, after some delay, communicated to Mr. 
Mitchel. The society was again disappointed. During 
this interval, this congregation was destitute even of 
a supply for the pulpit, several weeks having elapsed 
before Mr. Mitchel received an official communication 
from us. In the meantime, the people of Fair-Haven, 
(where he preached previous to his coming here,) 
anxious to procure him, met, and unanimously voted 
to give him a call to settle with them. Our communi- 
cation not. having reached him in due season, he accept- 
ed their invitation ; and, November 14th, Mr. Mitchel's 
answer was read to the congregation, declining to 
accept our call. 

1831, April 26th, the ecclesiastical society, by a 
unanimous vote, counting 103, gave Mr. Theophilus 
Smith a call to settle over this church and society 
as their gospel minister, offering him an annual salary 
of $650, should he accept our call. The people waited 
with anxiety for a decided answer from him. Mean- 
while a correspondence took place, respecting the 
practicability of obtaining a convenient place where 
he might accommodate a family, choosing rather to hire 
than to purchase ; no place was found to meet his 
wishes. June 18th, 1831, a letter was received from 
him, declining an acceptance of our invitation. This 
was the third attempt we had made to procure the stated 
ministration of gospel ordinances, since Mr. Emerson's 
dismission. 

August 16th, a four-days' meeting for religious ser- 
vices commenced, performed by neighboring minis- 
ters. They were peculiarly interesting and solemn. 
A very small proportion of the exercises were new, 
and calculated to excite curiosity, but might be said 
to be an extraordinary use of ordinary means. The 



42 HISTORY OF THE 

assembly was numerous, attentive and solemn. Four 
or five weeks previous to this meeting, a revival of 
religion had commenced, and was progressing, in the 
north-west part of the town ; several persons were hope- 
fully converted. And at this time there were some 
favorable appearances in several parts of the town ; 
some few drops of the approaching shower were no- 
ticed. We were soon blessed with a copious effusion of 
divine grace, which, though of short continuance, resulted 
in the hopeful conversion of quite a number of persons 
of various ages. Sabbath, Nov. 6th, fifty-seven were 
added to the church by profession, twenty-seven of 
them were baptized. Sabbath, February 12, six more 
united, one of them was baptized. The protracted meet- 
ing was considered blessed by the great Head of the 
church, as a means of good to the people of this place, 
and future happy results were anticipated. The number 
of communicants gradually decreased by emigration. 
There were at this time 349 resident members in this 
church, and 31 abroad, who were not as yet dismissed. 

1831, November 8th, the temperance society in 
this town met, and were favored by Esquire Frost 
with an animated and appropriate address, calculated 
to rouse the attention of his audience to his favorite 
subject : 81 subscribers were at this time added to 
the society, making in the whole, at this time, about 
340 members ; the number was considerably increas- 
ed by subsequent exertion. All the venders of spirits 
in this town, except one, refused to replenish their 
stores, and the taps, through which hogsheads of it had 
run, were now dry. The distillers suffered their fires 
to go out. Cider was made only, to supply the table 
and for a few domestic uses. 

1831, December 11th, Mr. Joseph Eldridge preached 
his first sermon to us, he continued with us several 
Sabbaths, preaching on probation. 1832, January 23d, 
the ecclesiastical society met, and voted to give Mr. 
Eldridge a call to settle over this society as their gos- 
pel minister : yeas, 87 ; nays, 2. They also voted to give 
him a salary of $650 annually, for his services. The 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 43 

church met immediately after, and voted unanimously to 
concur with the society in giving Mr. Eldridge a call. 
The doings of the church and society were communi- 
cated to him. February 12th, his letter of acceptance 
was read to the congregation. The society anticipated, 
with anxiety and deep interest, the arrival of our ex- 
pected pastor, and of the time agreed upon by the par- 
ties for his ordination, when the stated ministration of 
gospel ordinances should again be established. April 
25th, Mr. Eldridge was ordained ; sermon by the Rev. 
Dr. Taylor, of New Haven. An important era in the 
history of this town. 

1836, the general association of Connecticut met in 
this town. Delegates from other associations and agents 
from various benevolent societies attended with them. 
They assembled June 21st, at 11 o'clock, A. M., at the 
church and organized. 2 o'clock, P. M., Rev. Mr. Cal- 
houn, of Coventry, (the moderator,) preached the sermon 
for the occasion ; he presided in most of the meetings. 
In the evening, the Connecticut education society, auxili- 
ary to the American education society, was called to 
act. The treasurer reported, and read the general re- 
port. They were addressed by Rev. Mr. Bacon, of New 
Haven, Rev. Mr. Kirk, of Albany, and Rev. Dr. Beecher, 
of Lane seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio. June 22d, 2 
o'clock, P. M., met for divine worship ; Mr. Kirk offered 
the first prayer ; Dr. Beecher delivered a very animated 
and appropriate discourse ; after which, the Lord's 
supper was administered. In the evening, the Connec- 
ticut home missionary society, auxiliary to the A. II. M. 
society, met ; the reports were read, the society was 
addressed by Rev. Mr. Lathrop, of Salisbury, and by 
Dr. Beecher. June 23d, 10 o'clock, A. M., the children 
belonging to the Sunday school assembled, and were 
seated together each side of the broad aisle — an 
interesting scene. Prayer by Rev. F. L. Robbins ; 
the church and parents were addressed by Rev. Mr. 
Beckwith, and the scholars by Mr. Kirk, in a manner 
peculiarly calculated to gain their attention, impress 
their minds, give instruction, and excite them to 



44 HISTORY OF THE 

persevere in learning the scriptures, which they have 
the privilege of possessing at a cheap rate, and without 
fear. At half-past 1 o'clock, P. M., Mr. Pinney, gover- 
nor of Liberia, Africa, addressed a crowded audience, 
stating their situation, circumstances, and claims ; their 
future prospects, should suitable aid be afforded them and 
native missionaries and teachers be raised up to in- 
struct them. In the evening, the Norfolk temperance so- 
ciety met, and were addressed by Rev. Mr. Kirk, in his 
most animated and luminous style. The association had 
closed their session at 5 o'clock, P. M. The association 
of Connecticut met here for the first time, June, 1800. 

In 1839, an academical school was instituted, by form- 
ing a company and organizing it for the purpose of 
its future regulation. Their first teacher was Rev. John 
F. Norten. In 1840, they proceeded to erect a building 
for the purpose, which was completed and dedicated 
August 31st, 1840 ; cost $2000. The school commenced 
operation in the new building with encouraging pros- 
pects. 

In 1841, the members of the methodist episcopal 
church, residing in this town and its vicinity, erected a 
house east of the centre burying-ground, and dedicated 
it to the worship of God, where they might enjoy the 
institutions and ordinances of religion. Its form and size 
is well proportioned and convenient, its finishing is neat, 
and calculated suitably to impress the mind of the devout 
worshipper. 

In 1844, which was calculated, as near as could be, as 
the centennial year of the town,* Dr. Thomas Robbins 
gave us a centennial address on the occasion. He intro- 
duced his address by saying, that the very recent notice 
he had received, and the short time for examining records 
relating to the history of Norfolk, was his apology for 
not being better prepared for the occasion. He, how- 
ever, addressed us in his usual energetic and interesting 
manner. 

* N.B. la 1744, the settlement began near the Ives place, towards 
Canaan. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 45 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



After reading with attention the foregoing history of 
the past transactions of the inhabitants of this town, 
if we were to give a general character of our pre- 
decessors, would it be too much to say : — 

That union of sentiment, civil, political, and ecclesias- 
tical, has been a characteristic and predominant fea- 
ture in their proceedings. Firm friends of liberty and 
good order ; ardent in petitioning for redress or favor, 
but not clamorous ; very tenacious of their rights, but 
not litigious, — if drawn into it, it was with reluctance, 
but, when engaged in it, inflexible and persevering. They 
were economical, but not penurious ; frugal, but not mi- 
serly ; free to declare their sentiments on any subject, but 
not dogmatical ; firm, yet open to conviction ; religious, 
but not superstitious ; conscious of their general know- 
ledge and information, but not pedantic ; industrious, but 
ever ready to drop the implements of labor and resort to 
the scenes of amusement, of collections for public busi- 
ness, or the more interesting seasons of social divine 
worship on the days designed for labor ; and devoutly 
assembling on the Sabbath. They were zealously en- 
gaged in establishing useful and religious institutions, and 
laying a foundation for the improvement and happiness 
of their posterity. 



46 HISTORY OF THE 



ROMANTIC AND EXTENSIVE VIEWS. 



On Colebrook road, east of the Wilcox pond, look east- 
erly — scattered dwellings, extensive, cultivated fields. 
The view meets the horizon. On old Goshen road, hill 
south of Thomas Moses', look north-west — a distant view 
into Sheffield, see surrounding mountains and hills ; look 
to the right and left ; near Capt. Reuben Brown's, look 
south, south-west, and south-east ; a distant and wild view ; 
the scenery is specked with remote habitations of busy 
men. Near Asa Dutton's, look north and north-west, 
west to south-west ; ascend the mountain east of Mr. 
Dutton's, and you will have an extended and sublime 
view. Forty or fifty rods west of Eber Burr's, look 
north-west, west and south-west ; the view is beautiful 
and sublime. A little east of Samuel S. Camp's, look 
north-west, a distant view into Sheffield, with mountains 
on each side of the range of sight, and lofty ones inter- 
cepting the view to the north-west ; look east, the centre 
of the town, with buildings and church spire rising above 
the surrounding trees. On the hill westerly of the Akins 
house, look north-west ; an extensive view into Canaan, 
Sheffield and Egremont, the Housatonic mountains tow- 
ering west of Sheffield ; look easterly, you have a plea- 
sant view of the centre and parts contiguous. On what 
is called the Burr mountain, in various places, the pros- 
pect is very sublime, beautiful and extensive ; walk to 
the rock, called by some the Meteoric rock, near the 
height south of James Swift's, see it resting on the sur- 
face of a smooth rock, having crushed loose stones lying 
between them, leaving a space under it sufficient to shel- 
ter several sheep. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 47 



SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND TRANSACTIONS. 



The town of Norfolk was first sold at Middletown, - - 1742 

The settlement first began, on the road towards Canaan, - - 1744 

The road opened from Torringford to Canaan, - 1745 

First child born in Norfolk, son of Cornelius Brown, - - 1745 

Second sale of Norfolk at Middletown, - 1754 

The town was incorporated, seventeen families had settled, - 1758 

The first town-meeting held, forty-four legal voters, - - 1758 

Rev. Mr. Treat preached the first sermon in Norfolk, - - 1758 

Rev. Mr. Peck was hired to preach, - - - - 1759 

Agreed to build a meeting-house, - 1759 

Applied to the assembly for a land-tax, for preaching, - 1759 
A book procured for recording deeds, - - - - -1759 

First grand list made out, a tax of £50 laid, - - - 1759 

Applied for a land-tax, to the assembly, for meeting-house, etc., 1759 

Rev. Mr. Wetmore hired to preach, ----- 1759 
A meeting-house, 40 by 50, erected and covered, Robert Grundy, 

architect, -------- 1759 

Voted to call Mr. Wetmore for our pastor — failed, - 1760 

Invited Mr. Ives to preach, and gave him a call, - - 1760 

The church first gathered, twenty-three members, - 1760 

Rescinded the vote respecting the call of Mr. Ives, - - 1761 

Invited Mr. A. R. Robbins to preach to us on probation, - - 1761 

First church-meeting — gave Mr. Robbins a call, - - 1761 

The Lord's supper first administered to this church, - - 1761 

Number of families in town sixty, and soon seventy, - - 1761 

Mr. Robbins ordained. — A public library collected, - 1751 

Agreed to pay Mr. Rubbins in produce, appraised, - - 1767 

A revival of religion occurred, ten were added, - 1767 

If ten, or even three families, set up a school, town will pay, - 1768 

Selectmen empowered to sell sehonl-lands, - 1769 

Parsonage-land sold — Meeting-house dignified and seated, - 1770 

Centre burying-ground purchased, ----- 1774 

Road opened from meeting-house to Beech flats, - - 1774 

Highway districts located, ______ 1774 

Mr. Robbins absent as chaplain in the army, - 1776 
Fifty-six persons died of camp distemper — next year thirty-eight 

died, 1777 

Voted to provide for the families of the three-years' men, - 1777 

Town first represented in the general assembly, - - 1777 

Burgoyne's army passed through this town, as prisoners of war, - 1777 

Committee appointed to fix a price for all dealing, - - 1778 

Probate district of Norfolk established, 1779 



48 HISTORY OF Tl^E 

Town clerk ordered to publish intentions of marriage, - - 1779 

The smallpox in town — a pest-house established, - - - 1780 

Parsonage and school lands leased for 999 years, secured, - 1780 

First constable ordered to publish intentions of marriage, - - 1782 

Militia of this town divided into three companies, - - 1782 

Mr. Robbins went on a mission, eight months, ... 1783 

A revival of religion occurred, fifty-two members added, - 1783 

Highway districts established — surveyors appointed, - - 1784 

Five wolves were killed on Haystack mountain, - - - 1787 

Shade-trees set around the centre green, - 1791 

Mr. Robbins' salary set at £90. — Went on a mission, - - 1795 

School society organized, and business transferred, - 1796 

Legacy of £45 given by Isaac Holt, jun., interest for schooling, 1798 

School society divided into districts, ----- 1798 

Independence first celebrated in this town, - 1798 
A revival of religion occurred, 150 members were added, - 1798-9 

Families in town, 290 — members in the church, 300, - - 1799 

Greenwood's turnpike completed, cost $19,500, - 1799 

Celebrated the birth of Washington, February 22, - 1800 

General association of Connecticut met here in June, - - 1800 

Independence of the United States celebrated, - - - 1801 

Annual town-meeting to be holden first Monday in November, - 1801 

Course of road south of meeting-house established, - - 1802 

Mr. Robbins' salary fixed, during his capacity to preach, at $300, 1806 

Number of inhabitants in this town, 1441, - 1810 

Mr. Robbins preached his half-century sermon, October 28, - 1811 

An almost unanimous vote was given to build a new meeting-house, 1811 

The present road to Goshen established, - 1811 

The centre of the town established by measurement, - - 1811 

The site for the meeting-house agreed upon, - 1812 

Mr. Robbins died, October 31. — Ecclesiastical society organized, 1813 

Meeting-house completed, cost $6,000, David Hoadly, architect, - 1814 

Meeting-house dedicated, August, ----- 1814 

Church clock presented by Rev. Thomas Robbins, - - - 1814 

Voted unanimously to call Mr. Ralph Emerson, - - - 1815 

The three military companies were united in one, - 1815 
A revival of religion occurred, 1 22 added to the church, - 1815-16 

Mr. Emerson was ordained, June 12th, ----- 1816 

Ecclesiastical society fund was constituted, - 1817 

Centre school-house and conference-room built, cost $1,000, - 1819 

Assessors and board of relief constituted, - 1819 

Number of inhabitants in Norfolk, 1422, - 1820 

Norfolk library company formed — number of vols, purchased, 142, 1822 

Church organ procured, ___--__ 1822 
Eight hundred and thirty-three dollars thirty-four cents added to 

ecclesiastical society fund — interest to support church music, 1824 

A general vaccination for kine-pox ordered, - 1824 

Society for improving sacred music organized, ... 1826 

A revival of religion occurred, 103 were added to the church, 1827 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 49 

Mr. Emerson invited to take the presidency of Hudson college, - 1828 

Church and ecclesiastical society refused to dismiss him, - 1828 

Mrs. Elizabeth Rubbins died, loved as an active Christian, - 1828 

Mr. Emerson invited by theological seminary, Andover — dismissed, 1829 
A temperance society formed, - 1829-30 

Tracts for each family, on the subject of temperance, purchased, ] 830 

Gave Rev. J. Albro a call, for our minister — failed, - - 1830 

Gave Rev. John Mitchel a call — failed, - 1830 

Gave Rev. Theophilus Smith a call — failed, - - - - 1831 

A revival of religion occurred, sixty-three added to the church, 1831 

The temperance society counted at this time 340, - 1831 

Two stoves were set in the meeting-house, - 1831 

Gave Mr. Joseph Eldridge a call— ordained, April 25, - - 1832 

Deaths this year, 30 — one half of them over 70 years old, - 1832 

Mrs. Eldridge died, endeared to us as an active Christian, - - 1833 

A cold and late spring, but fruitful autumn, - 1833 

Procured a hearse, and appointed a keeper, - 1834 

An early spring, but expected fruits of autumn failed, - - 1834 

A petition signed by 379 persons, against giving spirit-licenses, - 1835 

General association of Connecticut met here, June 21, - 1836 

Academical school instituted, and company formed, - - 1839 

Academy building erected and dedicated, cost $2,000, - 1840 

Methodist Episcopal society erected a house for worship, - - 1841 

Joseph Battell, Esq., died, November 30th, - - 1841 

Independence celebrated, ------- 1842 

Centennial address given by Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D., - 1844 
John Strong bequeathed property to this town, said to be worth 

$2,500, consisting mostly of real estate, not yet appraised, - 1846 

The meeting-house was repaired and improved, cost $1,700, - 1846 
The town purchased the lower room of the academy, and half the 

ground attached to it, for a town-house, cost $725, - - 1846 



i 



50 HISTORY OF THE 



SITUATION, DESCRIPTION AND RESOURCES. 



Norfolk lies on the height between the Connecticut and 
the Hudson rivers, thirty-five miles west from Hartford, 
and forty miles east of Hudson ; fifty-two miles north of 
New Haven, and sixteen miles north of Litchfield. It is 
bounded north on Massachusetts, and sixteen miles east 
of the state of New-York. Its length from north to 
south is nine miles ; its breadth from east to west ave- 
rages four and a half miles. It contains, by estimation, 
22,336 acres of land ; a great proportion of which is suit- 
able for pasture and meadow, and feeds a great number 
of cattle and sheep. Its air is salubrious, and its water 
generally good. 

The early inhabitants of this town, placed by Provi- 
dence in a situation where industry was necessary in or- 
der to procure the comforts of life, were schooled in and 
inured to the practice of industry, and of steady habits ; 
and brought with them those habits, and put them in 
practice, when they became permanent residents. The 
fruits of these were soon perceived and enjoyed by them, 
and subsequently by their posterity, down to the present 
time. Very few political, civil, or ecclesiastical dissen- 
sions have occurred ; and its institutions and privileges, 
it is believed, are surpassed, or have been, but by few of 
its sister corporations in this state. From this statement 
and the foregoing history it will be seen that its pro- 
gress was slow, but sure ; it rose from small beginnings 
to its present respectable standing among the towns of 
its vicinity. 

The management and internal resources of this town 
will be noticed in part by the following statement : the 
town was originally divided into fifty-three rights of lands, 
estimated to contain 400 acres each ; three of the rights 
were reserved by the State, when sold. One equal un- 
divided right for a parsonage ; one for a school, and one 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 51 

for a minister's right ; this last right to be given to the 
first orthodox minister who settled in town. In 1780, 
the parsonage and school lands were, by proper autho- 
rity, leased, on security, for the term of 999 years ; 
the interest accruing, to be annually appropriated to the 
respective uses originally designed. In 1846, November 
1st, as reported, the ecclesiastical society fund, town 
deposit, school society fund, bequests, donations, &c, 
(some recent bequests, value not ascertained at this 
time,) were estimated at $20,000. In 1818, the last offi- 
cial act of the listers, the land in town was divided as 
follows : 741 acres of plow land, 1024 acres of clear pas- 
ture, 8575 acres of bush pasture, 3791 acres of wood 
land, second rate, 8064 acres of wood land, third rate, 
85 acres of boggy meadow, mowed, 80 acres boggy 
meadow, not mowed. In 1826, there were fed in its pas- 
tures and from its meadows, 201 horses, 2051 neat cat- 
tle, and 3162 sheep. 

Its hills are generally covered, to their summits, with 
forest trees ; and most of them are accessible to the 
woodman, and help to furnish timber for building, and 
fuel for the fire-side. The great quantity of butter and 
cheese made in town, enables the inhabitants to procure 
their bread in abundance, which makes up the deficien- 
cy of arable land. The sugar-maple supplies a great 
part of their sugar, and its timber excellent fuel. Fruits, 
both cultivated and wild, are found in sufficient quanti- 
tity and of good quality. 

There are a great variety of soils in the limits of this 
town ; of course most of the staple articles of food are 
produced by the industry of the farmer. The soil is con- 
sidered stubborn, and requiring extra labor to produce 
the necessary sustenance, yet the patient husbandman 
generally enjoys abundance as the fruit of his labor. If 
his fields do not wave with a luxuriant growth of grain — 
" the staff of life " — yet from the avails of his dairy he 
can easily procure a plentiful supply of flour, of excellent 
quality, and it may be said in truth, " his bread and his 
water are sure." On his pastures, and from his mea- 
dows and the produce of his fields, many cattle are fat- 



52 HISTORY OF THE 

tened for the use of the inhabitants, and for market. 
The dairies help to fatten great quantities of pork for 
the same use. The flocks of sheep which range their 
pastures, and speck the declivities of our hills, furnish 
improved and large supplies of wool ; and domestic in- 
dustry forms a part of it into cloth of handsome fabric, 
or of strong texture, for the use of the family or of the 
mechanic who makes their machinery and implements of 
husbandry. 

Butter is made in great quantity, and the busy bee 
make us as much honey as we need. There is made in 
this town annually, an average amount of 200,000 lbs. of 
cheese. In 1826, the assessors placed on the grand 
list, $36,851, vested in bank, turnpike, and other secu- 
rities. The ecclesiastical society fund is accumulating. 
In 1845 it began to be legally used, that is, the interest 
of it. The public school fund does much towards sup- 
porting our schools. 

In 1832, there were 441 children in the nine school 
districts who were benefitted by the public school fund ; 
the dividend for Norfolk that year was $154 35, which 
since has been increasing. 

Notwithstanding the embarrassments and losses, both 
of men and treasure, incurred by our ancestors, in conse- 
quence of their participation in the revolutionary strug- 
gle, and subsequently the frequent emigrations to the new 
settlements of our extensive country, it would seem for 
a time that they must be stationary as to increase of 
population and improvement ; yet at no time did they 
exhibit a retrograde movement, and especially as to their 
improvements. This town is very different from the 
new settlements at the west, where we meet with a 
dense population in the form of a village, and contigu- 
ous to them an extensive wild, pierced here and there 
with a passable road, and in some parts, at the distance 
of from two to twelve or even fifteen miles apart, a log 
hut is erected to cheer the lonely traveller, perhaps be- 
nighted, where he may enjoy the fireside and homely 
fare of its tenant. In this town the inhabitants are 
thinly scattered over its surface, occupying large farms, 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



53 



bordering on each other, and separated by a division 
fence of stone or rails, or by a forest limited in extent, 
and reserved to supply the possessor with fuel. The 
following statement will give a brief view of the build- 
ings, families, &c, as to number, in 1828 : 

207 Dwelling houses. 

232 Families. 

163 Families belonging to the first ecclesiastical society— permanent 

residents. 
191 Residents' farms. 

43 Non-residents' farms. 

22 Building lots. 
These numbers will vary somewhat since the above date. 

The annexed statement is taken from the official 
document. 

AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF EACH DESCRIPTION OF PERSONS IN NORFOLK. 

Census — June 1st, 1840. 





MAL 


ES. 




FEMALES. 




Under 5 


- 


- 


77 


Under 5 


_ 


62 


5 to 10 


- 


- 


82 


5 to 10 - 


_ 


71 


10 to 15 


- 


- 


91 


10 to 15 - 


_ 


61 


15 to 20 


- 


- 


83 


15 to 20 - 


_ 


82 


20 to 30 


- 


- 


112 


20 to 30 - 


_ 


113 


30 to 40 


- 


- 


76 


30 to 40 - 


_ 


93 


40 to 50 


- 


- 


66 


40 to 50 - 


_ 


70 


50 to 60 


- 


- 


49 


50 to 60 - 


_ 


57 


60 to 70 


- 


- 


27 


60 to 70 - 


_ 


36 


70 to 80 


- 


- 


27 


70 to 80 - 


_ 


14 


80 to 90 






o 
O 

693 


80 to 90 - 




4 
663 


COLORED 


MALES. 




COLORED 


FEMALES. 




10 - 


- 


. 


5 


10 - 


_ 


3 


10 to 24 


- 


- 


4 


10 to 24 - 


_ 


7 


24 to 36 


- 


- 


2 


24 to 36 - 


_ 


1 


36 to 55 


- 


- 


3 


36 to 55 - 


_ 


2 


55 to 100 


- 


- 


3 


55 to 100 - 


_ 


3 



17 



16 



54 •HISTORY OF THE 



Agriculturists 


376 


Academy 1 


Commercial 


9 


Scholars - - - 132 


Manufactures and Trades 


87 


Common Schools - - 11 


Learned professions 


12 


Scholars - - - 371 


Pensioners - 


9 


Cannot read nor write, over 


Insane and Idiots 


3 


twenty years old - 4 



The general appearance of Norfolk is romantic ; and 
the first view to a stranger, in a fine season, peculiar- 
ly so. As he ascends from the valley to the rising 
ground, and winds his way along the serpentine road, 
a continual succession of objects, " new and rare," stand 
out in bold relief before him. From his elevated stand 
he takes a horizontal glance into a decent habitation, 
and turning partly around, he looks down on the roof of 
another ; and still turning, his view is extended to a dis- 
tant cluster of buildings, founded on an undulating sur- 
face, presenting here a front, and there an ornamented 
gable, some of which are painted by the patient process 
of the brush, and some appear in time's sombre hue. 
Here an abrupt precipice presents itself, and there a 
startling gulf; the scene is continually changing. Un- 
like the monotonous view of the extensive plain, which 
tires the eye for want of an object within its ken to rest 
upon at the distance. The traveller passes along, inhal- 
ing our pure and salubrious air, and, on the whole, im- 
bibes a favorable opinion of our situation. Were he a 
painter, he might have thought it a rough sketch on na- 
ture's canvass, with a little too much foreground to ad- 
mit of a suitable extent of perspective. If a poet, he 
might say — it may be used as a good, though rough, 
stepping-stone in ascending Parnassian heights. The 
general student will not only find this town fertile with 
social enjoyments, but in his scientific researches will 
find it fertile as a miscellaneous chapter in the volume 
of nature. 

The natural division of the town with respect to soil 
and productions may be thus described, with few ex- 
ceptions. A line drawn through the town, north and 
south, about where the road runs, will, in the eastern 






TOWN OF NORFOLK. 55 

section, show a soil rather heavy, through the most part 
of its surface. Naturally moist and compact, it retains 
the manure spread upon its surface, and thus prepared, 
it produces heavy crops of timothy or herdsgrass, and 
some other valuable kinds of grass. The largest dairies 
are in this section, and so are the sugar-maple ; yet there 
are good dairies and valuable sugar-works in the west 
section. The maple, the birch, beech, hemlock and 
other timber of large growth, are seen on this side — 
large rocks, deeply embedded in the earth, here and 
there show their hard surfaces, and seem to defy the 
force of powder and human skill to remove them. On 
the west side, with few exceptions, the soil may be 
termed light, consisting, in many parts of its surface, of 
sand and gravel, mixed with decomposed vegetable sub- 
stances. Here is produced the red and the white clover, 
and some lighter grasses, in large quantities ; and with 
proper manure and good cultivation, fields of English 
grain are sometimes raised, in waving beauty, which 
fully compensate the cultivator. The oak, chestnut, 
walnut, and other kinds of timber are indigenous to the 
soil. This soil extends, with few interruptions, from 
about a mile south of the centre, to the northerly extre- 
mity of the town. 

Our mountains do not rise to a Pyrenean altitude. 
The precise heights have not been ascertained by actual 
measurement, except the Haystack mountain, which is 
said to be seven hundred feet ; but being based on an 
extensive and elevated ridge, that and the others must 
tower high above the Atlantic. They frequently do in- 
tercept and divert the course of thunder showers, which 
come from the north-west, turning them north or west 
of us, and in some instances divide them and leave us 
without a sprinkle of rain ; the fervid rays of the sun 
soon break through the mist and are welcomed by the 
beholder. The Burr mountain, and the one adjoining, 
south of it, are supposed to be the most elevated situa- 
tions in Norfolk, and they afford very extensive and 
grand prospects. We find through the whole extent of 
the town, a great variety as to its surface ; rising into 



56 HISTORY OF THE 

hills, and sinking into valleys ; few fields are found 
which approach very near a level, being for the most 
part gently undulating, and of small extent. In the cen- 
tre of the town the sun is seen to rise and set, say a de- 
gree above an exact horizontal line, the surface being a 
little depressed. The general surface of the town may 
be considered, when compared with the surface of 
Canaan and Sheffield, and seen from that situation, as 
a kind of plateau, or table-land. But few naked and 
craggy cliffs appear, like those in the arid regions of 
the south ; a green hue appears, from a great variety 
of mosses, woodbine, and a species of alpine vine, and 
others ; but they are generally shaded by forest trees 
which stand at their base, cling to their sides, or tower 
on their summits, in some places impervious to the me- 
ridian sunbeam. The stroke of the woodman's axe is 
frequently heard echoing from their shallow caverns, and 
the fallen tree, stripped of its encumbering limbs, is seen 
making down the steep and winding descent, urged for- 
ward by the woodman's lever, or drawn by the patient 
and manageable ox, until it comes to a situation where 
it comes in contact with the sled ; there the axe gives it 
the right length for the sled, it is loaded, the team at- 
tached to it, and the woodman, freed from his anxiety 
and management while on its descent, flourishes his 
whip and whistles along the beaten path until it arrives 
at its destined wood-house. There is very little waste 
surface, as before noticed ; the soil, even of our thick- 
est forests, which is not occupied by its lofty tenants, is 
generally covered, either with shrubbery or plants, which 
botanists will show may be useful to man, although flour- 
ishing in the sombre shade. The marsh and the quag- 
mire are filling up with vegetable mould, and the earth 
washed down from the surrounding hills, and they are 
fast verging to a solid state. In instances not a few, the 
loose rocks which formerly covered a great part of some 
fields, have been reduced to a manageable size, and 
placed in a wall enclosing the once almost useless field ; 
thus cleared and defended, its soft and rich soil has be- 
come productive and paid the laborer for his extra toil. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 57 

The agriculturist will find a sufficient variety in the 
soil, to invite experiment in his very important employ- 
ment, and nerve the arm of industry, confidently expect- 
ing the reward of the diligent, which in many cases is 
realized. This, together with a vigorous frame and 
well-strung nerve, make it a desirable occupation. No- 
tice, also, the farmer's table, spread, liberally, with the 
" fruit of summer's brown toil," independent, in a good 
measure, of foreign supplies, which, if desired, he can 
easily procure in exchange for his surplus produce. He 
plants his fields and sows his summer crops, generally, 
from the 10th to the 20th of May. He commences his 
haying from the 1st to the 10th of July, and his harvest 
from the 20th of July to the 1st of August. This must 
vary, as the reader is aware, according to season and 
situation. 

The gardener may generally put his seed into the 
ground from May the 10th to the 20th ; yet season, adap- 
tation of soil, and situation, are to be carefully noticed. 
The young plants, though watched with care, are liable 
to be injured by late frosts and the chilling effects of the 
north-east winds ; and as one writer remarks, " so of- 
ten has spring's primrose-crowned head been thrust back 
into the icy lap of winter " — and another, speaking of our 
winters, says, " see winter lingering in the lap of May," 
of course, in some seasons, which at first appear pro- 
mising, it will be prudent to wait a few days. A later 
planting is apt to produce more vigorous plants, and 
more and earlier fruit. Our crops of most kinds, in the 
fields, are rather late, when compared with those of Shef- 
field, etc., and so are our garden vegetables ; but on the 
whole, we enjoy them longer than do those who have a 
warmer . soil, and have them earlier. It is found practi- 
cable successfully to cultivate many exotic plants as or- 
naments to our gardens, and for use as culinary articles. 
Several of the medicinal kinds are found to flourish, and 
may be cultivated to profit ; such are tomatoes, senna, 
foxglove, and the castor bean, affording the useful oil. 

The botanist will notice that the great variety in the 
species of vegetables, indigenous in this place, would be 



58 HISTORY OF THE 

expected, from the variety of soils interspersed over its 
surface. Its hills and dales, its mountains and rising 
grounds, its smooth though limited meadows, the mean- 
dering brook, and the shallow, dimpled water of the pond, 
all conspire to produce and cherish their peculiar species 
of vegetation, and help to vary the scene. The follow- 
ing brief memorandum, respecting garden vegetables, as 
to the time they are generally brought to maturity for use, 
may suffice to show the comparative temperature of our 
climate, one season and year with another, and check 
our unseasonable longing after summer fruits. 

First Marroii'fat Peas. First New Potatoes. 

1824— July 21. 1824— August 11. 

1825— July 21. 1825— July 29. 

1832— July 28. 1832— August 8. 

First Cucumbers. First Small Fruit, in 

1824— August 11. 1825— Strawberries, June 7. 

1825— July 21. " —Raspberries. June 28. 

1832— August 12. " —Whortleberries, July 20. 

" — Blackberries, July 28. 
First Shell Beans and Corn. 

1824 August 30. First Frost occurred. 

1825— August 8. 1824— September 25. 

1832— August 30. 1825— September 11, &c. 

Vigorous shoots of the peach, cherry, and plumb will 
grow in the summer ; but the rigors of winter destroy 
many of them, and in those situations where they survive 
the frost of winter, and become in a measure climatized, 
in a few years decay, having produced but little fruit. 
We can, however, obtain a comfortable supply of these 
precious articles from the warmer soil of Sheffield and 
Canaan. The apple trees yield a good supply, generally, 
for common use, though not early and of delicious fla- 
vor ; — those we must obtain from abroad. Ours are im- 
proving in quality by grafting and culture, which may for a 
time do well : but it is thought that in our elevated situa- 
tion they will degenerate and decay, and have to yield to 
the edge of the pruning knife, like their predecessors of 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



59 



natural branches, and if the patience of the cultivator 
holds out, other more promising branches are inserted 
in their place. Pears do well, and a variety of grapes 
are found to bear the frost of our winters, producing 
plentifully if not checked with late frosts. 

The geologist will notice, that although we are situated 
within the zone of rocks of primitive formation, yet we 
have specimens of secondary and transition. In the 
eastern section of the town, large masses of rock are 
found of primary formation, such as granite, gneiss, etc., 
and some interesting specimens of secondary formation, 
such as breccia, or pudding-stone, etc. In the western 
section, will be found large masses of quartz or flint, 
diminishing in size, to the pebble. Some fields are 
almost covered with them, of moderate size, between 
which the gravel and sand appear in sufficient quantity 
to produce good crops of corn, even where it is literally 
hilled with them. Among the great variety of stones, 
though not esteemed among the precious, some are very 
valuable for buildings and for walls, and where skill, 
patience, and funds permit, blocks and slabs may be 
formed from them, both durable and ornamental. Good 
beds of clay are found, and some of them have been 
opened and worked, and it is hoped they will be, in 
future, to a still greater extent. 

The naturalist, when he turns his attention to the 
beast that roves the forest and the declivities of our 
mountains, and commences a research, will find no 
dens or lairs of beasts of wild and ferocious habits ; and 
it is believed that this town has never been a peculiar 
haunt for them. In the early settlement of the town, 
the timid deer, the bear, the wolf, the panther, and the 
wild cat, were occasionally seen ; their visit seemed, how- 
ever, like that of the wayfarer who turns in for the night, 
and their depredations extended generally no farther than 
to obtain a temporary meal, and they are away ; either 
voluntarily, fleeing to regions more congenial to them, 
or urged away by the untiring vigilance of our fathers ; 
at any rate, they seem now to be exterminated, to a 
degree almost regretted by the hunter. 



60 HISTORY OF THE 

For many years past, we have had the precaution, 
generally, at our town meetings, annually to offer a 
premium to him who killed a wolf, panther, or a wild 
cat ; but few have been killed and few depredations have 
occurred. Once in a while, the sly and cunning fox, as 
he passes along, takes a hen from the coop, or as she 
sits on her nest, attending to her business of incubation 
or nestling her young — thus satisfying his present hun- 
ger — or he may stop the gabble of a goose, in sport, and 
pass on. There are several dams noticed across streams 
which bear evident marks of the ingenious workmanship 
of the beaver, nothing, however, appears of recent 
operation, and the occupation of them must have been 
in years long gone by. 

The ornithologist, if he will institute his researches 
in the summer season, perhaps will meet with as great 
a variety of birds as can be found in any region of our 
latitude, but they are mostly birds of passage, and emi- 
grate, some soon after the harvest is gathered in, and 
others later and in autumn, few remain through the win- 
ter ; the robin stays to pluck the latest fruit that serves him 
for food ; a few, with some others, are seen in situations, 
cheered occasionally with the rays of the winter sun, 
especially on the southern declivities of our hills. In 
the summer we are cheered with the notes of the bullfinch, 
thrush, mockbird, American nightingale ; the humming 
bird pleases the sight if not the ear ; a long catalogue 
would be noticed by the ornithologist. The horned owl 
finds in our forests, recesses dark enough to afford it a 
home, and a shade from the too bright rays of the sun 
until the curtain of night invites him forth, to disgust us 
with its nocturnal hoot and to visit our poultry-yards. 
Our birds, though not drest in as gaudy plumage as those 
of some other climes, yet we prize their songs and think 
of them in the dreary silence and tedium of winter, and 
impatienly wait for their return in the spring, fondly 
anticipating the pleasing transition from frigidness and 
silence to melody. Some of their notes hail the earliest 
vernal rays, and they climb the air in spiral flight to meet 
the first rays of the morning sun, or, at more perfect day, 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 61 

they skim along the air in undulating lines, invigorated 
by its rays. 

There have been, it is said, about 400 species of birds 
described as belonging to North America; of which we 
may number a good proportion. We have also a large 
proportion of the 100,000 species of insects, said to have 
been collected in different parts of the world ; especially 
in our latitude. 

Reader, we will now return from our airy excursion, 
and follow, if we can, the course of the superabundant 
water, issuing from the ponds, the marshes, and the 
filtered tribute of the hills and rising grounds. It 
finds a passage, in a zig-zag course, round a hill in one 
direction and then round another almost in a returning 
direction, sometimes its course is diverted by a project- 
ing or embedded rock, until by rippling here and gently 
murmuring over its pebbly bed there, and anon precipi- 
tating itself down an abrupt fall, part of it passes off in 
one direction and part in an opposite one, both moving 
on in search of the great depository. 

The three brooks which pass a little west of the 
meeting-house, coming from the Wilcox pond, east, 
from the Tobey pond, southerly, and the one which runs 
from the south through the meadows, unite west of the 
centre, and pour down the falls by the centre mills ; 
they receive the stream which comes from Wood Creek, 
thus united they pass off by Blackberry river through 
Canaan into the Housatonic. 

From the Balcom pond issues the western branch of 
the Waterbury river. The outlet of the Benedict ponds 
is at Doolittle's mill, where it takes an easterly course 
through Colebrook, by Sandy brook, and empties as a 
tributary into the Farmington river. Three other small 
streams, one rising in Paug, the source of two others is 
easterly of North Goshen road school-house, these unite 
in the southern district, pass through part of Winches- 
ter and Winsted into Farmington river. 

The water obtained by digging is generally pure, but 
in a few situations it rises through a strata of clay, or is 
impregnated with some mineral substance. We, how- 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

ever, in many places, furnish our kitchens with the 
cleansing element from the purling streams or rivulets, 
in some measure tributary to those streams already 
described, and a cooling beverage is in some cases and 
situations obtained from the boiling spring — so called ; 
they all please the ear with their purling melody, and 
help to enliven the scene. 

In noticing the temperature of our atmosphere, it 
may be said, that the thermometer ranges from 10 de- 
grees below zero to 92 above, as the extreme. In sum- 
mer, its general range is from 70 to 80. In winter, from 
8 below to 12 above. We have no tempests like those 
which rise and accumulate, and destructively sweep over 
extensive plains. The north-west wind is to us strong 
and piercing, especially in winter ; in summer, it is pe- 
culiarly refreshing. The east and north-east winds are 
very chilly and heavy. The south wind and those east or 
west of it are loaded with vapor, and accompanied with 
a degree of warmth and rarity which, if continued a day 
or two, becomes oppressive to the invalid, and in a 
measure destroys the usual elasticity of our atmosphere. 
This state of the air is not very common, and we have 
so few undrained swamps and marshes, and those of 
small extent and so frequently replenished with pure 
water from the clouds, that they affect us but little, if at 
all ; of course, our air is generally pure and salubrious, 
and the brisk winds which are generally in motion tend 
to keep it so, thus, in most situations, we inhale the life- 
giving breeze, unlike the atmosphere in some parts of our 
country, where the air is stagnant as the water over 
which it broods, and from which it imbibes miasma 
deleterious as the exhalations from the Upas, and when 
set in motion by the breeze, scatters pale disease and 
death around. 

Now, reader, for the warring elements. When the 
east and north-east winds have brought from their winter 
stores immense bodies of vapor, and covered the surface 
of our hills and valleys with a wallowing depth of snow, 
the wind turns into the north-west and rises in its strength 
and majesty, sweeps away the clouds that have been 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 63 

accumulating for days, loads its wide-expanded wings 
with snow, which had lain for a little time quiescent, 
and wafts it over hill and dale and piles it about us in 
appalling drifts. The traveller is abruptly stopped on 
his passage by a high and almost perpendicular drift ; 
his track is deeply covered behind him, on his right 
hand, and on his left, waves of snow are rolling and 
threatening, avalanche like, to overwhelm him. Here 
we must leave him for the present, to extricate himself 
if he can; and after congratulating those who have had 
the precaution and prudence to put up at an inn, or 
turn into a hospitable dwelling, secure until the blast is 
over, we will now hasten to witness domestic scenes. 
All moving is now suspended, except in the domestic 
circle ; there all is bustle and hurry ; Avood must be dug 
out of the snow, unless economy and prudent foresight 
has secured a supply under cover. The call of the 
housewife for her pail of water is so peremptory that it 
must be had, the deep snow-drift at the kitchen door 
notwithstanding. The farmer goes to his barn-yard, 
and digs out a sheep here and a yearling there, and 
even the pig-sty is invaded, but its tenants can lie and 
grunt under their burden, until their keeper comes to 
relieve them, without sustaining any essential injury, 
perhaps they lose in their covert situation one or two 
messes. After the toils of a day like the one described, 
the scattered family collects round the domestic fire- 
side, each expecting as one expresses it, " that every 
corporeal sense will either be gratified or quiescent." 
Who would regret having shared in the fatigues incident 
to our situation as we pass through the changing sea- 
sons. 



64 HISTORY OF THE 



A NORFOLK WINTER. 



SCOTCH STYLE. 

(Tune, O, Logie o'Buchan.) 

The sun has gone southward a distance so far 
It 's drawn up the big and bright polar star ; 
The fields are all frozen, the lakes turn'd to ice ; 
The bleak winds are blowing, they whirl in a trice ; 
The white snow is ranging o'er hill and o'er dale, 
The trav'ler benighted looks chilly and pale. 

Has comfort fled off with the sun in its car, 

No substitute brought by the big polar star ? 

Is naught but the bleak winds to sound in our ear, 

No beverage but cold snow our stomachs to cheer? 

0, yes, dearest Jenny, my spouse and desire; 

We '11 close the dark blinds, and we '11 nurse up the fire ; 

We '11 spread o'er our board, in a quite frugal style, 
The well-earned income of summer's brown toil ; 
We '11 eat and we '11 drink — talk in pleasantest mood, 
And bless the kind Hand that provides us our food ; 
We '11 walk round the room, through the crevice we '11 spy, 
Secure from its sharp blast, the cold wintry sky. 

We '11 take little Jenny and set on the knee, 
And hear her blithe prattle and innocent glee ; 
To Jock we '11 tell stories which we used to hear, 
And all shall partake of our harmless good cheer; 
An evening thus spent, seems like evening in May, 
For within door is peace, though without not so gay. 

Let winter bleak howl from its dark frozen wave ; 
Let billows, high mounted, the icy beach lave ; 
With vegetive nature securely we '11 sing, 
And wait the return of the warm and blithe spring ; 
But in the meanwhile, let us sigh for the poor, 
And ask him most kindly to walk in our door. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 65 

When spring shows her blossoms and summer looks gay e 
We 'II plant the sweet melon and gather the hay ; 
The bright yellow corn we '11 nurse up with care, 
And hope in the autumn its plenty to share ; 
When winter comes round us with bellowing strife, 
We '11 sit secure from it with children and wife. 

Thus blest with contentment, we '11 pass through the yew, 
And, trusting the kind Hand, we 've nothing to fear. 
When springs are all over and elements' war, 
We '11 rise o'er the bright and the big polar star — 
There in the high regions of bliss we will sing, 
And hail the eternal and ever blithe spring. 



i. 



66 HISTORY OF THE 



INCIDENTS 

WHICH OCCURRED IN THE FIRST HALF CENTURY OF THE SETTLEMENT 

OF NORFOLK, OBTAINED FROM VERBAL INFORMATION DATES NOT 

ASCERTAINED. 

The first road cut through Norfolk was done by Capt. 
Isaac Lawrence, Canaan ; in its course it came to what 
we now call Loon meadow, there they found a meadow 
or opening of some extent, the grass grew upon it in 
considerable quantity and of good quality ; on it they 
found a dead loon, that had apparently come to the close 
of life in a quiet manner, and this circumstance recently 
gave the name to the place. There they gave part of 
their team a chance to feed, and with the remainder went 
forward towards what was after called the North Green ; 
they returned at night and found all things safe, and 
also an increase of their stock — a mare, which they left 
in the morning, had brought them a fine colt. This road 
or passway led on through the north-west part of the 
town, near Mr. John Smith's, and on to what is called 
the college farm. 

In early times, a Mr. Barber, father of Capt. Timothy 
Barber, formerly an inhabitant of Norfolk, came from 
Simsbury, with two of his sons, well armed, to traverse 
a part of the town, and coming to a place, since called 
Pine mountain, they stacked their guns and strolled round, 
and ascended the hill in hope of getting a distant view of 
the surrounding country. Mr. Barber stepped into a hole 
in the side of the hill, and something shot by him and 
sprang up a tree near him. He did not at first know what 
it was, but sent his youngest son to get their guns — he 
did not find them ; still watching the animal, he sent his 
oldest son, who soon returned with the guns ; while wait- 
ing, he perceived that the creature grew very uneasy y 
twisting his tail and changing his position, perhaps with 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. C7 

the intention of springing upon them. Mr. Barber 
placed his sons each side of him, each having their guns 
well charged; they fired and brought down a large pan- 
ther in a condition to examine him with safety ; its claws 
and fangs looked frightfully, and they rejoiced that they 
had escaped them and rid the world of a frightful mon- 
ster. 

Mr. Cornelius Brown, one of the early settlers of 
this town, going into the woods some distance from his 
house, was met by a bear, who soon prepared to spring 
upon him ; Mr. Brown attempted to climb a small staddle 
near him, which proved too slender to support him at 
a safe height from the ground ; the bear could, by stretch- 
ing itself, just reach his feet as he clung to the tree ; the 
bear badly mangled his heels with his claws and teeth. 
Mr. Brown hallooed for help, and, after suffering much 
through fear and from his lacerated feet, help arrived — a 
man, hunting in the woods with his dog, heard him ; the 
dog reached him before his master and worried the bear, 
and he quit the assault before the man arrived. Mr. 
Brown, glad to part with bruin, was helped home ; his 
wounds were healed, the scars of which were to be seen 
through life. 

Several years after, Mr. Nathaniel Roys, then living 
near where Silas Burr now resides, was going round to 
where Capt. Auren Tibbals now lives ; turning round the 
end of the winrow, so called, he was met by a bear; it 
soon prepared for an attack, Mr. Roys stood considering 
whether to meet the bear unarmed or trace back his 
steps ; he, having come out of his shop with his leather 
apron on, thought with himself he would try that as a 
weapon of defence. He looked sternly upon him, shook 
his leather apron, and sprang towards him ; bruin, not 
used to that mode of attack, settled down from his ram- 
pant posture and made use of all his legs to assist him 
in his flight from the frowning face and frightful rattle 
of his antagonist. 

About the time of meeting the bear, or perhaps the 
winter following, Mr. Roys, busily engaged in his shop, 
and his boys as busily engaged in gambols and play 



68 HISTORY OF THE 

about the door-yard, several guns were heard on the 
mountain west of his house, he sprang from his shop 
and joined the boys in looking anxiously up the moun- 
tain ; their curiosity was soon gratified by seeing three 
deer rushing down, come to a perpendicular ledge west 
of Mr. Burr's (now) dwelling-house, they plunged down, 
almost burying themselves in the snow ; soon, however, 
they recovered, and the old buck, leading the way, passed 
by the house, through the meadow, and on to the Brown 
mountain. 

In the early settlement of this town, before the tower- 
ing hemlocks were cleared off the green, west of 
the meeting-house, some of them had become dry and 
easily combustible, it being a dry season; by some 
means the leaves and dry matter took fire at the north 
end of the ledge, and the north-west wind helping, it 
spread rapidly towards the meeting-house, climbing the 
dry hemlocks, and the flaming bark and limbs were 
scattered round and near the meeting-house, which was 
nearly or quite finished. The inhabitants near the centre 
were aroused to exertion, and spread the alarm as far 
as possible ; help came from every quarter, water was 
obtained from a well at the house where Mr. Giles 
Pettibone, jr., formerly lived, it was drawn about dry by 
Mrs. Dudley Humphrey, who did not leave the well or 
stop drawing the water until the danger was over. 
A line was formed, from the well to the meeting-house, of 
men, women and boys, each forwarding the water. 

In the hard winter of 1779 or 1780, the extreme 
cold and great body of snow, in that season, made it 
necessary for many families to go quite a distance 
and out of town to get grinding. They took the follow- 
ing method. The father or one of his robust sons, put 
say half a bushel of grain in a sack, tied on his snow- 
shoes, and thus accoutred, with his dinner in the sack's 
mouth, commenced his walk down to Jacob Beach's mill 
in the hither part of Goshen, or the one in the north-east 
part of the town. Follow in imagination this pedestrian 
adventurer, 'opeing across fields and over fences to cut 
short his way, avoiding in his route the shin-bush, which 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 69 

would about as certainly trip him up, or throw him 
down, as the modern tangle legs, and he could not lie 
so quietly and doze until the encumbrance was removed ; 
no, he must manage to unharness his snow-shoes and get 
rid of that encumbrance before he could hope to free 
himself from the snow, which almost covered him, and 
again take an erect position. If no other hindrance 
happened, he returned the same day with his flour. Mean- 
while the good housewife would boil part of their grain, 
as a substitute for bread — a fine treat for the children, 
surrounding the blazing fire, composed of large wood, 
urged in by the lever or in some instances dragged in by 
a horse. Fine winter evenings of olden times ! 

To given an idea of the immense bulk of snow which 
fell in this elevated situation in some of our early winters, 
I will relate the following incident : Mr. Reuben Munger, 
then living near where Solomon Curtis now lives, built 
him a barn, with a cow-house at each end, forming a large 
square yard, open to the south. A heavy snow-storm 
came on, which, with the help of the north-west wind, 
which took the reins after it ceased falling, filled this 
space, and rising with a gradual ascent until it reached 
the ridge of the barn, a strong crust formed on the 
surface. Mr. Munger arose on a fine morning, went 
out to feed his cattle, and the strange idea came into 
his mind, to feed his yearlings on the roof of the barn ; 
he took an armful of hay and led several of his yearlings, 
where he fed them on the very ridge, from which eleva- 
tion they descended in safety. 

When the late Rev. Ammi R. Robbins first found his 
way through the thinly-settled north part of Litchfield 
county, pursuant to an engagement with the agents of 
the church and ecclesiastical society of Norfolk, to 
preach to them on probation, he came to a house on the 
old road, east of Mr. Dutton's (now) dwelling-house, said 
to be that in which Mr. Thomas Tibbals afterwards 
lived. Me rode up to the door and inquired for the 
boarding-house designed for their expected minister ; he 
was informed that that was the place. He alighted, glad 
to find even a temporary home. After taking some re- 



70 HISTORY OF THE 

freshment, he inquired the way to the meeting-house, 
and very leisurely wended his way, frequently looking 
forward to catch a first view of the sanctuary ; but the 
view was so obstructed by the dense forest of hemlocks 
and other large trees, that he arrived near the house 
where Mr. Ebenezer Burr then lived, at the south end of 
the green. His eye soon caught the sacred dwelling, 
dressed in its peach-blow hue, which gave a striking 
contrast to the murky shade of the thick-set hemlocks 
which remained near it. Follow him in imagination, 
and think of his sensations, when raising his hand to the 
latch of the door, which opened without the grating of a 
key, he entered — silence reigned, where subsequently, 
and for more than half a century, his voice was heard 
by a devout and attentive audience, especially on the 
Sabbath, which his Divine Master had sanctified. He 
returned to his lodgings, we may suppose, with his mind 
so occupied with his future prospects that he passed over 
his rough way with heedless steps. 

The year after Mr. Robbins was settled over this 
church, Mr. Henry Akins came from Torrington and 
purchased a farm westerly from the meeting-house, 
which he occupied through life. Soon after fixing his 
residence here, he left his family one pleasant winter 
morning, taking his gun, hoping to find some deer in his 
ramble. He strolled on in a southerly direction, proba- 
bly west of Tobey's pond, but not in sight of it. In the 
after part of the day it became cloudy, the sun was hid- 
den, and it soon began to snow. He thought best to be 
on his return home ; he attempted, but soon found that 
he was wandering ; his out-bound tracks were covered 
with snow ; without a compass or anything to guide 
him, he could perceive, by often-recurring objects, that 
he was retracing his recent steps. He Avas alarmed, 
believing that he had not gained a rod towards home. 
The cold increased ; darkness, and no relief from moon 
or stars, came on, rapidly on ; he concluded that he 
must spend the night in this wilderness, far from relief, 
and how far from home he knew not. He perceived 
that his feet were numb, but had felt no pain in them ; 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 71 

he came to a convenient place for kindling a fire, and 
finding dry combustible in plenty, which he gathered, 
and anticipated the comfort of a warm fireside, and the 
cheering blaze to disperse the gloom and darkness which 
enveloped him. What was his astonishment, when about 
to strike fire from his flint — his flint was lost ; by some 
mishap it was torn from his gun-lock, and he had no 
spare one. Dreary, indeed, was his situation, and com- 
fortless his circumstances. He retained his reasoning 
faculties, and knew that if he attempted to seek a rest- 
ing place it would be fatal ; death by freezing must be 
the result. He began walking from a tree near him to 
one about forty feet distant, back and forth, until he had 
made a firm and solid path. In this exercise he spent a 
long winter night. When morning came he attempted 
again to find his way home, but, as is generally the case 
in such circumstances, he wandered still farther from 
home. He kept in motion, fearing to rest. His route 
seemed to be west of the Tibbals mountain, and south- 
erly, until he came near the place afterwards occupied 
by a Mr. Balcom, south of Mr. Edmund Brown's present 
habitation, where he was found the next day, towards 
night, by his friends and neighbors, who had been in 
pursuit of him from nine o'clock the evening before. It 
seems he was still able to stand erect and walk. He 
was helped home, and arrived that evening, to the joy of 
himself and family. His feet were found badly frozen, 
and when, after a considerable length of time and much 
suffering, they were healed, they were very much scar- 
red and misshapen, but served him in future life, and 
enabled him to cultivate his farm, bring up a large fami- 
ly, and accumulate a good property. 



72 HISTORY OF THE 



LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM NORFOLK TO THE. 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FROM 1777 TO 1846. 

1777. Giles Pettibone, William Walter- 

1778. * Giles Pettibone, Hosea Wilcox. 
tGiles Pettibone, Hosea Wilcox. 

1779. Dudley Humphrey, Michael Mills, 
Dudley Humphrey f Michael Mills- 

1780. Giles Pettibone, Joseph Mills. 
Titus Ives, Asahel Case. 

1781. No appointment. 

Hosea Wilcox, Isaac Hoyt. 

1782. Michael Mills, Nathaniel Stevens. 
Michael Mills, Elijah Grant. 

1783. Elijah Grant, Michael Mills. 
Giles Pettibone, Ephraim Guiteau, 

1784. Giles Pettibone, Dudley Humphrey. 
Giles Pettibone, Dudley Humphrey. 

1785. Michael Mills, Dudley Humphrey. 
Michael Mills, Dudley Humphrey. 

1786. Miehacl Mills, Asahel Humphrey. 
Michael Mills, Asahel Humphrey. 

1787. Titus Ives, Hosea Humphrey. 
Asahel Humphrey, Hosea Humphrey. 

1788. Asahel Humphrey, Michael Mills. 
Dudley Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 

1789. Dudley Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 
Dudley Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 

1790. Dudley Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 
Dudley Humphrey, Michael Mills. 

1791. Dudley Humphrey, Giles Pettibone.. 
Dudley Humphrey, Michael Mills. 

1792. Dudley Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 
Giles Pettibone, Asahel Humphrey. 

1793. Giles Pettibone, Asahel Humphrey. 
Giles Pettibone, Asahel Humphrey. 

1794. Asahel Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 
Asahel Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 

* Spring- t Autarsti.-. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 73 

1795. Giles Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens. 
Giles Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens. 

1796. Asahel Humphrey, Nathaniel Stevens. 
Asahel Humphrey, Nathaniel Stevens. 

1797. Asahel Humphrey, Giles Pettibone. 
Giles Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens. 

1798. Giles Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Eleazer Holt. 

1799. Giles Pettibone, Eleazer Holt. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Eleazer Holt. 

1800. Giles Pettibone, Eleazer Holt. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 

1801. Giles Pettibone, . 

Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 

1802. Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 

1803. Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 

1804. Augustus Pettibone, Eleazer Holt. 
Augustus Pettibone, Eleazer Holt. 

1805. Augustus Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens, jun. 
Augustus Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens, 

1806. Jeremiah W. Phelp«, Nathaniel Stevens, jun. 
Jeremiah W. Phelps, Nathaniel Stevens. 

1807. Augustus Pettibone, John Dickinson. 
Augustus Pettibone, John Dickinson. 

1808. Nathaniel Stevens, Benjamin Welch. 
Augustus Pettibone, Benjamin Welch. 

1809. Nathaniel Stevens, John Dickinson. 
Nathaniel Stevens, John Dickinson. 

1810. Nathaniel Stevens, John Dickinson. 
Nathaniel Stevens, John Dickinson. 

1811. Benjamin Welch, Joseph Battell. 
Benjamin Welch, Elizur Hunger. 

1812. Augustus Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens. 
Eleazer Holt, Augustus Pettibone. 

1813. Eleazer Holt, Augustus Pettibone. 
Eleazer Holt, Augustus Pettibone. 

1814. Augustus Pettibone, Eleazer Holt. 
Augustus Pettibone, Eleazer Holt. 

1815. Eleazer Holt, Nathaniel Stevens. 
Eleazer Holt, Nathaniel Stevens. 

1816. Nathaniel Stevens, Elizur Munger. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Elizur Munger. 

1817. Nathaniel Stevens, Elizur Munger. 
Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

1818. Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 
Augustus Pettibone, Nathaniel Stevens. 

1819. *Nathaniel Stevens, Augustus Pettibone. 

1820. Augustus Pettibone, Joseph Battell. 

1821. Lawrence Mills, Elizur Munger. 

1822. Augustus Pettibone, Benjamin Welch. 

1823. Augustus Pettibone, Benjamin Welch. 

1824. Augustus Pettibone, Joseph Battell. 

1825. Augustus Pettibone, Joseph Battell. 
182(3. Joseph Battell, Amos Pettibone. 

1827. Amos Pettibone, Joseph Riggs. 

1828. Amos Pettibone, Joseph Battell. 

1829. Amos Pettibone, Thomas Curtis. 

1830. Michael F. Mills, Amos Pettibone. 

1831. Michael F. Mills, Edmund Brown. 

1832. Jedediah Phelps, Harvey Grant. 

1833. Michael F. Mills, Harvey Grant. 

1834. Thomas Curtis, Warren Cone. 

1835. Thomas Curtis, Elizur Dowd. 

1836. Benjamin Welch, jun., Darius Phelps. 

1837. Asahel E. Case, Levi Shephard. 

1838. Warren Cone, Thomas Curtis. 

1839. Hiram Mills, Elizur Dowd. 

1840. James Shepard, Hiram Gay lord. 

1841. Eden Riggs, David L. Dowd. 

1842. Thomas Curtis, Dudley Norton. 

1843. No appointment. 

1844. William Lawrence, James M. Cowls. 

1845. E. G. Lawrence, Silas Burr. 

1846. Harlow Roys, Horace B. Knapp. 

STATE SENATORS FROM NORFOLK. 

Honorable Augustus Pettibone. 
Honorable John Dewell. 

* Spring. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 75 



LIST OF GRADUATES FROM THIS TOWN. 

James Watson, Yale Col., 1776, Merchant, N. Y. — U. S. Senator. 

Joshua Knapp, " 1776, Pastor, Winchester, Conn. 

Giles Pettibone, jun., " 1778, Farmer and Innkeeper. 

Joseph Ives, " 1782, Merchant, Albany. 

Thomas Robbins, " 1796, Pastor and D. D. 

Samuel Cowls, W. Col., 1796, Attorney, Farmiiigton, Conn. 

Nathaniel Turner, " 1798, Pastor, N. Marlboro, Mass. 

Isaac Knapp, " 1800, Pastor, Tutor, Westfield, Mass. 

Sereno Pettibone, " 1800, Attorney. 

Asahel Gaylord, " 1804, Evangelist. 

Rufus Pettibone, " 1805, Judge of S. Court, Missouri. 

James W. Robbins, " 1802, Merchant, Lenox, Mass. 

Francis L. Robbins, < ; 1808, Pastor, Enfield, Mass. 

Joseph Battell, jun., M. Col., 1823, Merchant, New York. 

Eleazer Holt, Yale Col., 1823, Pastor, Reading, Penn. 

J. R. Lawrence, Union Col., 1825, Attorney, &c, Syracuse. 

E. G. Lawrence, Ham. Col., 1827, Merchant. 

Philip Battell, M. Col., 1826, Attorney, Middlebury, Vt. 

Frederick T. Mills, Yale Col., 1827, Died while Student of Law. 

Sheriden Guiteau, M. Col., 1829, Clergyman, Baltimore. 

Coridon Guiteau, AV. Col., 1832, Physician, Lee, Mass. 

Reuben Gaylord, jun., Yale " 1834, Clergyman, Iowa. 

Robbins Battell, " " 1839, Agriculturist. 

Robert Bigelow, Ske. Col., 1824, Commercial gentleman, Florida. 

PROFESSIONAL MEN, NOT GRADUATES.— ATTORNEYS. 

Augustus Pettibone, Attorney — C. Judge, C C. — Rep. 30 Sessions- 
State Senator. 
Edmund Akins, Attorney. 

Michael F. Mills, Attorney and Judge of Probate. 
Roger Mills, Attorney, New Hartford. 
Rice Stevens, Attorney, Huntingdon, Penn. 
Grove Lawrence, Attorney — Judge — Syracuse, New York. 
George B. Holt, Attorney — Judge of Circuit Court, Ohio. 
Edmund Akins, 2d, Attorney, Mercellus, New York. 

PHYSICIANS ABROAD. 

Laman Pettibone, Stockholm, L. county, New York. 

Colbey Knapp, Guilford, Ch. county, " 

Abraham Camp, Windham, 

Lewis Riggs, And Representative to Congress, State of N. Y. 



76 



HISTORY OF THE 



Elizur Butler, 
Smith Knapp, 
Chance v Moore, 
Asahel Humphrey, 
Benjamin Welch, jun, 
Asa G. Welch, 
James Welch, 
Isaac Benedict, 
Francis Benedict, 
Nelson Cowls, 
Two sons of Thomas 



And Missionary to Choctaws. 
Blenham, New York. 
New Haven, Vermont. 
Salisbury, Connecticut. 
,, Litchfield, 
Lee, Massachusetts. 
Lee, 
Stand not known. 

tt U cc 

Geneva, Ohio. 
Moses — place unknown. 



PHYSICIANS WHO PRACTISED IN NORFOLK. 



John Miner, 
Ephraim Guiteau, 
Philo Guiteau, 
Hosea Humphrey, 
Daniel Lyman, 



Benjamin Welch, 
Benjamin Welch, jun. 
Benjamin Calhoun, 
William W. Welch, 
John F. T. Cockey. 



EDUCATED FEMALES — TEACHERS OF SELECT 
SCHOOLS, ETC. 



Sarah Tibbals — Mrs. Reeder, 

Zilpah P. Grant — Mrs. Banister, 

Laura Hawley, 

Lucia Hawley, 

Maria Hawley, 

Louisa N. Frisbie, 

Lucy Hart — Mrs. Wilcox, 

Allice Welch — Mrs. Cowls, 



Norfolk and Alabama. 
Ipswich Seminary. 
New Albany, Indiana. 
High School, New Jersey. 
High School, Tennessee. 
High School, Baltimore. 
Hilo, Sandwich Island Mission. 
Oberlin Institute. 



MINISTERS EMPLOYED BEFORE AND AFTER MR. ROB- 
BINS' SETTLEMENT, WHILE ABSENT, AND SINCE HIS 
DEATH. 



sv. Mr. Treat, 


Rev. Mr. Jerome, 


Rev. 


Mr 


Clark, 


" " Peck, 


" " Bogue, 


" 


it 


H. Cowls, 


" " Curtis, 


" " Stebbens, 


<< 


" 


Mitehel, 


" " Gregory, 


" " D. Sherman, 


(( 


a 


Robbinson, 


" " Heaton, 


" " H. Sherman, 


" 


" 


Smith, 


" " Wetmore, 


" Dr. Atwater, 


" 


a 


Brockway, 


' : " Benedict, 


" Mr. Burtt, 


C( 


(( 


I. Robbins, 


" " Pitkin, 


" " Lord, 


(( 


it 


W. Mitehel, 


" " Ives, 


" " Giddings, 


(( 


u 


J. Clark, 


" " Robbins, 


" " Emerson, 


« 


C( 


D. Smith, 


" " Camp, 


" " Rockwell, 


C< 


>i 


Shepard, 


" " Newell, 


" " Schaffer, 


li 


M 


Eldridge. 


" " Potter, 


" « Albro, 









TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



77 



DEACONS. 



Michael Humphrey, 
Abraham Camp, 
Joseph Mills, 
Abraham Hall, 
Samuel Mills, 
Jared Butler, 
David Frisbie, 



Edward Gaylord, 
Noah Miner, 
Sylvanus Norton, jun., 
Amos Pettibone, 
Samuel Cone, 
Darius Phelps, jun., 
Dudley Norton. 



ANNUAL ADMISSIONS INTO THE CHURCH, FROM 1760 
TO 1844.— FROM CHURCH RECORDS. 



1760 Twenty- three 


1789 




1818 


Six 


1761 Twenty-six 


1790 


Six 


1819 


Six 


1762 Six 


1791 


Six 


1820 


Three 


1763 Seventeen 


1792 


One 


1821 


Thirty- seven 


1764 Twelve 


1793 


Nine 


1822 


Thirty-three 


1765 One 


1794 


Three 


1823 


Six 


1766 Nine 


1795 


Eight 


1824 


Four 


1767 Nine 


1796 


Two 


1825 


Two 


1768 Fourteen 


1797 


Eleven 


1826 


Two 


1769 Seven 


1798 


Three 


1827 


Hundred and four 


1770 Eight 


1799 


Hundred and 


nine 1828 


Seventeen 


1771 Nine 


1800 


Thirty-six 


1829 


Six 


1772 Seven 


1801 


Sixteen 


1830 


Three 


1773 Eight 


1802 


Six 


1831 


Fifty-seven 


1774 Eight 


1803 


Two 


1832 


Twenty-six 


1775 Seven 


1804 


One 


1833 




1776 Four 


1805 


Two 


1834 


Twenty-one 


1777 Three 


1806 


Seven 


1835 




1778 Nine 


1807 


Nine 


1836 


Three 


1779 Seven 


1808 


Seven 


1837 


Three 


1780 Four 


1809 


Seven 


1838 


Twelve 


1781 One 


1810 


Four 


1839 




1782 Three 


1811 


Eight 


1840 


Eleven 


1783 Thirty-three 


1812 


Three 


1841 


Thirty-five 


1784 Twenty-seven 


1813 


One 


1842 


Five 


1785 Six 


1814 


Six 


1843 


Fifty 


1786 Five 


1815 


Twenty-two 


1844 


Two 


1787 One 


1816 Hundred and three 




1788 Two 


1817 


Eleven . 







78 HISTORY OF THE 



MEMOIR OF MADAM ELIZABETH ROBBINS.* 

Mrs. Robbins died September 28th, 1829, aged 84. 
Mr. Emerson remarked in his discourse at her funeral : 
"Her last sickness was very short, terminating in the 
compass of two days. The faith which she manifested 
on this occasion, appeared truly the substance of things 
hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. In giv- 
ing a character of this aged and pious matron, I would 
say, her vivacity was remarkable, tempered and guided 
by truth and piety ; it was as useful as it was entertain- 
ing. It delightfully mingled the animation and charm of 
youth with the sedateness of age ; the life of spring, 
with the ripeness and serenity of autumn. Her capacity 
and readiness to entertain the numerous guests of the 
family, when the duties of the study demanded the seclu- 
sion of her faithful partner, are well known. Her know- 
ledge of theology, especially in its practical bearings, 
was extensive and highly useful." Towards the close of 
his remarks he says, " Perhaps, ere this, she has received 
a crown sparkling with the memorial of many a deed 
the world never saw, and of which herself has to say, 
'Lord, when was this, or why is it thus esteemed by 
thee?'" The last friendly act performed for her was 
September 30th, when she was placed in the silent 
grave, by the side of her husband, there to wait the 
re-animating call of the archangel. 

* A memoir of Mr. Robbins is included in the history. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 79 



A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND AFFECTION. 

Joseph Battell, Esq., died November 30th, 1841, aged 
67, after a laborious course, spent in the mercantile 
business, commenced in early life and pursued with 
energy and success; acquiring property himself, and en- 
abling others to do so. A friendly adviser and ready 
helper, a faithful reprover of the heedless and improvi- 
dent and encourager of the prudent manager, kind to 
the needy and unfortunate, and withheld not a helping- 
hand, even from those whose vices and negligence made 
them unworthy of his favor. All classes of citizens 
experienced his kind regard, and felt more or less the 
loss of him. His death was sudden and unexpected ; he 
had fixed on a day to commence a journey to the west, 
to attend to the pressing call of his extensive and im- 
portant concerns in that section of the country. On 
that day he was called to attend the funeral of Esquire 
Hinsdale, of Winsted; he and several of his family 
attended. He returned home to prepare to commence 
his journey on the morrow, but before he entered his 
house, he was attacked with apoplexy, and was carried 
in, in a state of apparent insensibility, and remained so 
until morning, when his spirit took its flight — we hope 
to a better world, and that his hope was exchanged for 
fruition. He is dead ! said his family and friends who 
were present. Mr. Battell is dead ! reiterated his neigh- 
bors and the surprised inhabitants. The echo rolled 
solemnly to the north and the south, to the east and to 
the far west, accompanied with the admonition, Prepare 
to meet thy God ! 

Auren Roys. 



80 



HISTORY OF THE 



LIST OF THE DEATHS OF THE MALE HEADS OF FAMI- 
LIES WHO LIVED AND WHO DIED IN THIS TOWN. 



FROM CHURCH RECORDS. 



Samuel Cowls, 


1762 


Edmund Akins, Esq. 




1807 


Samuel Comstock, 


1764 


Joseph Gaylord, 




1807 


Roswell Richards, 


1765 


Daniel Burr, 




1808 


Cornelius Brown, 


1769 


Reuben Munger, 




1808 


Isaac Pettibone, 


1771 


Nathaniel Stevens, Esq. 




1808 


Ezekiel Wilcox, 


1774 


Obadiah Pease, 




1809 


Jacob Holt and Levi Cowls 




Asahel Case, 




1809 


(buried in well,) 


1774 


Edmund Brown, 




1809 


Oliver Burr, 


1775 


Philo Guiteau, 




1809 


Thomas Curtis, (in army,) 


1776 


Thomas Tibbals, 




1810 


Bushnel Knapp, (shot for deer, )1 777 


Giles Pettibone, Esq. 




1810 


Michael Humphrey, Esq. 


1778 


Titus Ives, 




1810 


Joseph Plumby, (drowned,) 


1778 


Giles Pettibone, jun. 




1811 


Samuel Gaylord, 


1778 


John Turner, 




1811 


Abel Phelps, 


1779 


James Benedict, 




1812 


Eliakiin Seward, 


1782 


John Phelps, 




1812 


Simeon Mills, 


1782 


Samuel Pettibone, jun, 




1813 


Joseph Cowls, 


1782 


Rev. A. R. Robbins, 




1813 


Reuben Seward, 


1732 


Jedediah Richards, 




1814 


Jesse Tobey, 


1788 


Jacob Spalding 




1814 


Caleb Knapp, 


1789 


John Dowd, 




1815 


Bille Bishop, 


1789 


Francis Benedict, 




1815 


Joseph Mills, Deacon, 


1792 


Levi Grant, aged 44, 


1816 


Joseph Cady, 


1793 


Samuel Knapp, 


90, 


1816 


Ebenezer Burr, 


1794 


Dr. Ephraim Guiteau, 


79, 


1816 


Dudley Humphrey, Esq. 


1794 


Henry Akins, 


86, 


1816 


Joshua Moses, 


1795 


Samuel Pettibone, 


73, 


1816 


Joel Grant, (well sweep,) 


1796 


Jedediah Phelps, 


60, 


1817 


Solomon Curtis, 


1796 


Agur Gaylord, 


88, 


1817 


William Walter, 


1796 


Nathaniel Pease, 


91, 


1818 


Isaac Holt, jun. 


1797 


Darius Phelps, 


66, 


1818 


Samuel S. Butler, 


1798 


Josiah Roys, 


80, 


1818 


Elijah Grant, 


1798 


Samuel Northway, 


72, 


1819 


Stephen Walter, 


1800 


Sylvanus Norton, 


78, 


1820 


Daniel Cowls, 


1801 


Michael Mills, 


90, 


1820 


Titus Brown, 


1802 


Joshua Moses, jun. 


58, 


1820 


Benjamin Picket, 


1804 


Daniel Cone, 


39, 


1821 


Samuel Mills, Deacon, 


1804 


Aaron Burr, 


71, 


1821 


Eleazer Orvis, 


1805 


Edward Gaylord, Dea. 


78, 


1822 


Isaac Holt, sen. 


1806 


Jared Butler, Dea. 


76, 


1822 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



81 



George Tobey, 77, 
Dudley Humphrey, 2, 8, 

Joshua Nettleton, 83, 

Samuel Knapp, 2d, 78, 
Nathaniel Stevens, jun. 57, 

Rice Gaylord, 87, 

Timothy Gaylord, 90, 

Thomas Tibbals, jun. 72, 

Samuel Gaylord, 83, 

Stephen Norton, 86, 

Ebenezer Cowls, 78, 

Amasa Cowls, jun. 56, 

James Stannard, 39, 

Joseph Hull, 74, 

Deming T. Northway, 42,' 

Elizur Hunger, 67, 

Hopcstill Welch, 87, 

Moses Camp, 81, 

John Camp, 56, 

Levi Camp, 74, 

Jeremiah W.Phelps, 70, 

Elisha Hawley, 83, 

Lewis Gaylord, 41, 

Isaac Spalding, 50, 

Nicholas Hult, 76,' 

Amasa Cowls, 87, 

Joseph Jones, 82, 

Joseph Ferry, 90, 

Benjamin Moses, 34, 
Jonathan H. Pettibone, 30,' 

David W. Roys, 57, 
Nath'l Roys, in 100th year] 
Malachi Humphrey, aged 69, 

John Bradley, 72, 

John Warner, 79, 

Abiather Rogers, 75, 

Ebenezer Norton, 91, 

Rice Gaylord, jun. 48, 
Israel Crissey, _ 70, 

Ephraim Coy, 72, 

Lemuel Akins, 64, 

Luther Foot, 74, 

Jonathan Brown, 97, 

Eleazer Holt, Esq. 82,' 

Ezekiel Foster, 68,' 

William Nettleton, 59,' 

Moses Grant, 70, 

Emmons Andrus, 28 



DIED 

1823 
1823 
1824 
1824 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1826 
1826 
1826 
1827 
1827 
1827 
1828 
1828 
1828 
1828 
1828 
1828 
1830 
1830 
1S31 
1831 
1832 
1832 
1832 
1S32 
1832 
1832 
1S32 
1832 
1832 
1832 
1832 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1833 
1834 
1834 
1834 
1834 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1 885 
1835 
6 



DIED 

Thomas Hill, 93, 1835 

Charles Walter, 78, 1836 

Eden Mills, 72, 1836 

Miles Riggs, 88, 1836 

Seth Wilcox, 69, 1836 

Samuel Cone, Dea. 51, 1836 

Francis Bliss, 44, 1836 

Reuben Dean, 85, 1836 

Peter Freedom, 63, 1837 

Halsey Stevens, 34, 1837 

David Frisbee, Dea. 87, 1837 

Elias Knapp, 62, 1837 

Abijah Brown, 56, 1838 

Asher Smith, 80, 1838 

Andrew H. Smith, 36,1838 

Albert Norton, 21, 1838 

William French, 71, 1838 

Luther N. Ailing, — , 1839 

Gerry Grant, 35, 1839 

James Roys, 71, 1839 

David Gaylord, 69, 1839 

Stephen B. Treat, 30, 1839 

Asahel Case, 84, 1840 

James Rood, 70, 1840 

Samuel Knapp, 72, 1841 
Dr. Benjamin Calhoun, 63, 1841 

James Hotchkiss, 50, 1841 

Nathaniel Butler, 60, 1841 

Reuben Palmer, 81, 1841 

Jedediah White, 91,1841 

Jatues Peck, 61, 1841 

Joseph Battell, Esq. 67,' 1841 

Aaron Case. 70, 1842 

Mansfield White, 47,' 1842 

Philemon Gaylord, 76, 1842 

Augustus Roys, 52, 1842 

Isaac N Dowd, 49,' 1842 

David Orvis, 96, 1843 

Elisaph Butler, 75, 1843 

John T. Warner, 43, 1843 

Joseph Rockwell, 85, 1843 

Stephen Norton, 77, 1843 

Reuben Gaylord, 73, 1843 

AmmiR. Bobbins, 76, 1843 

Francis Benedict, jun. 75, 1844 

George M.Phelps, 27^1844 

(Close of the Centennial jear.) 

Titus Nettleton, 75, 1845 



82 



HISTORY OF THE 







DIED 






DIED 


Alden Miner, 


45, 


1845 


William Dowd, 


, 


1846 


Reuben Brown, 


66, 


1845 


John Smith, 


73, 


1846 


Rev. Asahel Gaylord, 


70, 


1845 


Thomas Curtis, 


61, 


1846 


Levi Barlow, 


— , 


1845 


Joseph Smith, 


95, 


1846 


James Shepherd, 


71, 


1846 


Joseph Riggs, 


67, 


1846 


Jarvis Garrit, 


48, 


1846 


John Strong, 


87, 


1846 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



83 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



Joshua Whitney, 
Michael Humphrey, 
Giles Pettibone, 
Hozea Wilcox, 
Dudley Humphrey, 
Asahel Humphrey, 
Nathaniel Stevens, 
Eleazer Holt, 
Augustus Pettibone, 
Benjamin Welch, 
Joseph Battell, 
Joseph Riggs, 
Michael F. Mills, 
Bushnell Knapp, 



Edmund Brown, 
Amos Pettibone, 
E. Grove Lawrence, 
Augustus P. Pease, 
Erastus Smith, 
Anson Norton, 
Benjamin Welch, jun., 
Darius Phelps, 
Daniel Hotchkiss, 
John Dewell, 
Auren Tibbals, 
Benjamin Bigelow, 
James C Swift, 
Jeremiah Johnson. 



Giles Pettibone, 
Augustus Pettibone, 
Michael F. Mills, 

Joseph Riggs, 



PROBATE JUDGES. 



1779 
1807 
1823 
1842 



James C. Swift, 
Michael G. Mills, 
Daniel Hotchkiss, 



1843 
1844 
1846 



Joshua Whitney, 
Michael Humphrey, 
Dudley Humphrey, 
Hosea Wilcox, 
Dudley Humphrey, 



TOWN CLERKS. 



1758 


Asahel Humphrey, 


1794 


1760 


Dudley Humphrey, 2d, 


1797 


1778 


Joseph Jones, 


1802 


1782 


Auren Roys, 


1812 


1788 







TOWN TREASURER. 



Ebenozer Burr, 


1758 


Darius Phelps, 


1832 


Giles Pettibone, 


1763 


E. Grove Lawrence, 


1833 


Giles Pettibone, jun., 


1803 


William Lawrence, 


1834 


Nathaniel Stevens, 


1810 


Oliver B. Butler, 


1836 


Jonathan H. Pettibone, 


1822 







81 



HISTORY OF THE 



FIRST CONSTABLES. 



Eli Pettibone, 
Ezekiel Wilcox, 
Daniel Humphrey, 
Giles Pettibone, 
John Watson, 
Timothy Gaylord, 
Thomas Curtis, 
Henry Akins, 
Michael Mills, 
Elijah Phelps, 
Isaac Holt, jun., 
Samuel Mills, 
Elijah Phelps, 
Giles Pettibone, jun., 
Darius Phelps, 
Solomon Curtis, 
Nathaniel Stevens, jun., 
Philo Guiteau, 
Nathaniel Stevens, jun., 
Moses Grant, 



1758 


Benjamin Welch, 


1802 


1763 


Amasa Cowls, jun., 


1804 


1765 


Jonathan Pettibone, 


1807 


1767 


Ezekiel Wilcox, 


1809 


1770 


Bushnell Knapp, 


1811 


1772 


Thomas Curtis, 


1813 


1775 


Josiah Pettibone, 


1817 


1776 


Amos Pettibone, 


1819 


1782 


Thomas Curtis, 


1822 


1783 


Jedediah Phelps, 


1826 


1785 


Halsey Stevens, 


1828 


1786 


Sulivan Searle, 


1831 


1787 


Hiram Gaylord, 


1834 


1788 


Samuel Seymour, jun., 


1835 


1790 


Edwin Butler, 


1836 


1793 


Michael G. Mills, 


1837 


1795 


Truman R. Seymour, 


1838 


1797 


Asahel G. Phelps, 


1840 


1798 


Mark Bigelow, 


1843 


1800 


Samuel Seymour, jun., 


1844 



FIRST SELECTMEN. 



George Palmer, 


1758 


Reuben Gaylord, 


1816 


Abel Phelps, 


1759 


Lawrence Mills, 


1817 


Michael Humphrey, 


1760 


Reuben Brown, 


1818 


Isaac Holt, 


1764 


James Shepard, 


1820 


Joseph Seward, 


1765 


Amos Pettibone officiated, 


1823 


Abraham Camp, 


1768 


Solomon Cowls, 


1826 


Thomas Tibbals, 


1769 


Edmund Brown, 


1828 


Joseph Seward, 


1771 


Erastus Smith, 


1829 


Elijah Grant, 


1774 


Hervey Grant, 


1830 


Dudley Humphrey, 


1775 


Jedediah Phelps, 


1831 


Michael Mills, 


1776 


Hiram Mills, 


1832 


Titus Ives, 


1782 


Auren Tibbals, 


1833 


Michael Mills, 


1785 


Darius Phelps, 


1834 


Samuel Mills, 


1788 


Elon Maltbie, 


1835 


Ariel Lawrence, 


1789 


Henry Porter, 


1836 


Asahel Humphrey, 


1790 


Willis Griswald, 


1837 


Eleazer Holt, 


1794 


John Humphrey, 


1838 


Jedediah Phelps, 


1797 


John Humphrey, 


1839 


Nicholas Holt, 


1799 


Elizur Dowd, 


1840 


Nathaniel Stevens, 


1802 


Augustus Roys, 


1841 


Jeremiah W. Phelps, 


1804 


Luther Butler, 


1842 


Eden Mills, 


1806 


Luther Butler, 


1843 


Elizur Munger, 


1810 


James M. Cowls, 


1844 


Amasa Cowls, jun., 


1811 







TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



85 



Amount of the List of Taxable Property in Norfolk 
annually, from 1759, in pounds until 1796, then 
in dollars. 



DATE. AMO NT 



1759 
1760 
1761 
1762 
1763 
1764 
1765 
1766 
1767 
1768 
1769 
1770 
1771 
1772 
1773 
1774 
1775 
1776 
1777 
1778 
1779 
1780 
1781 
1782 
1783 
1784 
1785 



£. 
2292 
2546 
2650 
3230 
3680 
4136 
4433 
4706 
5074 
6106 
6451 
7064 
7652 
7876 
8143 
9597 
9156 
9613 
9830 
10425 
11059 
10752 
10666 
9908 
9685 
8051 
8076 



Iu the early settlement of this town 
taxes were laid by the inhabitants, 
from £10 to £100, and sometimes 
2d., 3d., and up to 6d. on the pound, 
as occasion required, and collectors ap- 
pointed at the time, which had their 
respective taxes to collect. 

The collectors appointed at the an- 
nual meetings generally collected mere- 
ly the ministerial tax. 

Land-taxes were imposed by go- 
vernment of 2d. to 5d. on the acre, 
which was generally gathered by col- 
lectors appointed for that purpose. 

Various methods have been ordered 
and adopted for regulating the taxable 
articles and the manner of taxing them, 
as may be seen by referring to the 
Statute Laws on the subject. 

It may be noticed that the amount 
of the grand list for 17 7 8 is al- 
most the same as in 1795. In the 
succeeding year it was set in dollars. 
It will be curious to see the gradual 
rise and diminution according to cir- 
cumstances. 

From about the year 1800 the first 
constables have generally been em- 
ployed to collect all the taxes. 



DATE. lAMO NT 



1786 
1787 
1788 
1789 
1790 
1791 
1792 
1793 
1794 
1795 
1796 
1797 
1798 
1799 
1700 
1801 
1802 
1803 
1804 
1805 
1806 
1807 
1808 
1809 
1800 
1811 
1812 



£. 

8024 

7898 

7800 

7881 

8701 

8825 

9270 

10097 

10150 

10467 

$37039 

35537 

34S9S 

35125 

34222 

32143 

33135 

36472 

36072 

32646 

33558 

32652 

33404 

34068 

32436 

33336 

32189 



In 1818, the last o'fieial performance of the listers, the occupation 
of the land in Norfolk was as follows : — 
741 acres of plow land. 
1024 acres of clear pasture. 
8575 acres of bush pasture. 
3791 acres of wood land, second rate. 
8064 acres of wood land, third rate. 
85 acres of boggy meadow, mowed. 
80 acres of do. do. not mowed. 
Making 22,360 acres accounted for. 

6* 



86 



HISTORY OF THE 



From 1813 the per centage of the Highway, Town 
and Ecclesiastical Society Taxes annually, with the 
name of the Collector added. 



DATE. 


AMOUNT. 


H.WAY. 


TOWN. 


EC. SOCJ 


COLLECTOB. 




$. CTS. 


CENTS 


CENTS 


CENTS 






On Dollar. 


On Dollar 


On Dollar. 




1813 


32,729,66 


3 


IX 


3 


Thomas Curtis 


1814 


33,787,82 


2 


1% 


5 


Thomas Curtis 


1815 


33,719,45 


3 


IX 


2K 


Thomas Curtis 


1816 


32,031,08 


3 


3 


m 


Thomas Curtis 


1817 


32,766,73 


3 


2 


3 


Josiah Pettibone 


1818 


33,009,73 


3 


2 


3 


Josiah Pettibone 


1819 


23,720,46 


4 


2>£ 


±% 


Amos Pettibone 


1820 


21,980,76 


4 


3 


4^ 


Amos Pettibone 


1821 


21,268,27 


4 


3 


Wz 


Amos Pettibone 


1822 


22,481,29 


4 


i/ 


5 


Thomas Curtis 


1823 


22,380,69 


4 


4~ 


5 


Thomas Curtis 


1824 


23,428,81 


4 


4K 


4K 


Thomas Curtis 


1825 


23,398,27 


5 


6 


4^ 


Thomas Curtis 


1826 


21,926,07 


5 


5 


4 


Jedediah Phelps 


1827 


22,043,58 


5 


5 


4K 


Jedediah Phelps 


1828 


21,960,25 


5 


5^ 


5 


Halsey Stevens 


1829 


22,257,26 


4 


5 


z>% 


Halsey Stevens 


1830 


22,097,96 


6 


by; 


4 


Halsey Stevens 


1831 


22,522,54 


5 


5 


4 


Sulivan Searle 


1832 


23,404,22 


5 


±% 


4^ 


Sulivan Searle 


1833 


22,814,36 


5 


4 


4| 


Sulivan Searle 


1834 


24,217,91 


5 


3 


5 


Hiram Gaylord 


1835 


23,867,79 


5 


4 


4^ 


Samuel Seymour, jun. 


1836 


23,121,30 


5 


5 


4>i 


Edwin Butler 


1837 


23,353,67 


6 


5 


4^ 


Michael G. Mills 


1838 


23,243,89 


5 


5 


4K 


Truman R. Seymour 


1839 


23,589,53 


5 


5 


5 


Truman R. Seymour 


1840 


22,522,57 


4^ 


4 


4K 


Asahel G. Phelps 


1841 


22,036,35 


5 


3^ 


5M 


Asahel G. Phelps 


1842 


21,188,28 


5 


3^ 


5 


Asahel G. Phelps 


1843 


20,569,46 


2K 


4 


6 


Samuel Seymour, jun. 


1844 


21,391,48 


7 


H.&T. 


2 


Samuel Seymour, jun. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



Copy of the Summary of the List of 1812. 



Polls, from 21 to 70, - - 

Polls, from 18 to 21, 

Oxen and Bulls, 4 years old, - 

Cows and Cattle, 3 years old, - 

Cattle, 2 years old, - 

Horses, 3 do. - 

Ditto, 2 do. - 

Ditto, 1 do. ... . 

Plow land, per acre, .... 

Clear pasture, do. - 

Boggy meadow, do. - 

Bush pasture, do. - 

Uninclosed land, 1st rate, ... 

Ditto do. 2d rate, - 

Ditto do. 3d rate, - 

Chaise, at 20, 30, 40 and 65 dollars each. 
Gold watches, - 
Silver watches, - 
Brass-wheeled clocks, - 
Wooden-wheeled clocks, - 
Fire places, 1st class, .... 
Ditto 2d class, - 
Ditto 3d class, - 
Ditto 4th class, - 
Stores, 1 story high, - 
Money on interest, 6 per cent. 
Bank stock, 3 per cent. 

Assessment for occupation, discretionary. 

20 sheep only deducted from any one list. 

In 1815, sheep were not placed in the list. 

Those alterations in the assessment of taxable property will, in some, 
measure, account for the sudden rise or diminution of the amount of the 
Grand Lists. 



lOLS. 


CTS 


60 


00 


30 


00 


10 


00 


7 


00 


3 


00 


10 


00 


7 


00 


3 


34 


1 


67 


1 


34 




84 




34 




34 




17 




9 


34 


00 


10 


00 


20 


00 


7 


00 


5 


00 


3 


75 


2 


50 


1 


25 


10 


00 



88 HISTORY OF THE 



2] 


Drct. 


3 


(< 


3 


u 


8 


" 


6 


<< 


50 


« 


40 


it 


6 


" 


50 


<( 


30 


« 



/w 1819, /Ac Listers were dismissed, and Assessors and 
Board of Relief appointed. A copy of a Summary 
of a List by them. 

Polls, set in List at $40 each. 
Houses and 2 acres of land,* - 
Land, ------- 

Mills, stores, etc., ----..- 

Horses, ------- 

Neat cattle, ------ 

Silver plate, ------ 

Carriages, ------ 

Money at interest and bank stock, - 

Clocks and watches, - 

Wagons, ------ 

Li 1820, polls were set in list at $30; horses, at 10 per ct. ; carriages, 
at 25 per ct. ; wagons, at 15 per ct. 

In 1822, stud horses were set in the list at $25, and in 1823 they 
were not on the list. 

In 1824, real estate was placed on the list at 3 per ct., and personal 
property, at 6 per ct. 

In 1825, $11,000 were lost by the failure of the Eagle Bank, and 
deducted from the list of a resident of this town — J. B. 

In 1826, sheep were added to the list, at 6 per ct. And polls were 
set in the list at $20 each. 

In 1843, polls were set in the list at $10 each. 
* Ad valorem. 



TOWN OF NORFOLK. 



89 



Number of Children and Dividend of School Money 
in each School District, for October, 1832. 



DISTRICTS. 



Middle, 
East Middle, 
North Middle, 
North End, 
Pond, 

West side, - 
North Goshen road, 
South Goshen road, 
.South End, - 





CHILDREN. 


DIVIDEND. 






$. 


CTS. 


- 


Ill 


38 


85 


- 


62 


21 


TO 


- 


45 


15 


75 


- 


47 


16 


45 


- 


34 


11 


90 


- 


35 


12 


25 


- 


24 


8 


40 


- 


47 


16 


45 


- 


36 


12 


60 




441 


$154 




35 



Whole Number and Dividend. 



DATE. 



WHOLE NO. i WHOLE AMOUNT 
OF CHILDREN. | OF DIVIDEND. 



1833 


418 


1834 


424 


1835 


424 


1836 


417 



$. CTS 



4S6 25 



516 00 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 113 403 6 



